Afrotis afraoides (A.Smith, 1831)

Male Plumage

The male Afrotis afraoides has regularly patterned black and white barring on the back and wings, with black plumage on the head, neck, and underparts.

Female Plumage

The female has black and buff barring or chequer patterning on the head, neck, breast, and upper parts, and a black belly.

Distinguishing Features

This species can be distinguished from the southern black korhaan by its largely white primary feathers, which are black in the southern black korhaan. Both males and females have red beaks and bright yellow legs.

Common Name and Distribution

Afrotis afraoides, commonly called the northern black korhaan, is distributed across Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho, and northern South Africa.

Habitat

It inhabits grassland with vegetation up to one metre high, grassy dunes, semi-arid scrubland, and open veldt.

General Behavior

The northern black korhaan is a primarily ground-dwelling bird. It will sometimes take flight when disturbed, and males produce a loud, raucous "kraark, kraark" call.

Male Anti-Intruder Behavior

When approached by an intruder, a male often runs away with its head and neck extended, then freezes, becoming surprisingly hard to spot.

Female Visibility

Females are less conspicuous and are rarely seen.

Diet

These birds forage as they walk, feeding on and chasing insects including termites, ants, grasshoppers, and beetles, as well as spiders, ticks, and seeds.

Breeding Timing

Breeding can occur at any time of the year.

Male Courtship Behavior

Males perform a courtship display that includes dipping flights, flaring white feathers, and ritual chasing of other birds. A male will display to multiple females, defends a territory, and chases away other males.

Nest Details

The nest is a scrape on the ground that holds one or two eggs.