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Photo: C. G. Finch-Davies / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)

Vulnerable

Southern Black Korhaan

Afrotis afra

Southern Black Korhaan (Afrotis afra) — Unusual & Unique Birds of Africa.

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The Southern Black Korhaan (Afrotis afra) is a member of the Otididae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 690 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Vulnerable.

VU Vulnerable

Facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.

Where it fits

  1. Class Aves
  2. Order Otidiformes
  3. Family Otididae Bustards
  4. Genus Afrotis
  5. Species afra

Where it lives

Western, southern South Africa

Quick facts

Weight
690 g
Diet
Omnivores
Family
Otididae
Order
Otidiformes
Habitat
Woodland

How to identify

Similar birds

Biology & behaviour

Diet

The Southern Black Korhaan is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.

Behaviour

A bird of open scrub and shrubland, it forages mainly on the ground.

Migration

The Southern Black Korhaan is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.

The Southern Black Korhaan (Afrotis afra) belongs to the Otididae family of the order Otidiformes. It occurs naturally across Africa. Its distribution covers AF w, s South Africa.

It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 690 g, with a wing length of about 29.1 cm and a tail of around 12.7 cm.

It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.

Its mapped global range covers an estimated 173,000 km².

Songs & calls

Southern Black Korhaan — Call

Recorded by African Bioacoustics Community Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Southern Black Korhaan?

The Southern Black Korhaan is a large bird that weighs around 690 g.

Where does the Southern Black Korhaan live?

The Southern Black Korhaan is found across Africa with a range covering AF w, s South Africa, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.

What family does the Southern Black Korhaan belong to?

The Southern Black Korhaan (Afrotis afra) belongs to the Otididae family, in the order Otidiformes.

What does the Southern Black Korhaan eat?

The Southern Black Korhaan is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.

Does the Southern Black Korhaan migrate?

The Southern Black Korhaan is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.

Is the Southern Black Korhaan endangered?

It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.

What sound does the Southern Black Korhaan make?

1 real field recording of the Southern Black Korhaan — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.

How large is the Southern Black Korhaan's range?

The Southern Black Korhaan has a mapped global range of about 173,000 km².

Conservation

Vulnerable

Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.

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