Denham's bustard

Denham's Bustard, also known as Stanley's Bustard, is a remarkable bird native to Sub-Saharan Africa. This species can be spotted in a variety of open habitats, including farmlands, grasslands, floodplains, and even areas of burnt fynbos. Although they are generally sedentary, some populations migrate to lower altitudes during the winter months. The bird is named after Major Dixon Denham and Edward Smith-Stanley, the 13th Earl of Derby.

As the largest member of the Neotis genus, male Denham's Bustards are quite substantial, weighing around 9 to 10 kg, while females are lighter, typically weighing between 3 to 4 kg. Males are easily identifiable by their brown backs, white underparts, pale grey necks with an orange nape, and distinctively patterned wings. During their courtship displays, males puff up their throats, creating a striking balloon of white feathers. Despite their dramatic displays, these birds are generally silent.

There are three subspecies of Denham's Bustard, each with its unique distribution across Africa. They thrive mainly in grassland areas up to 3,000 meters above sea level. These birds are not picky eaters—they are omnivorous, consuming insects, small snakes, rodents, and various plants. Occasionally, they even follow large mammals to feed on dung beetles.

In terms of reproduction, males perform elaborate displays at leks to attract females. Rainfall typically triggers their breeding season, which can occur at any time of the year. Females lay one or two eggs in a simple scrape on the ground.

Unfortunately, Denham's Bustard faces several threats, including hunting, habitat loss due to agriculture, and logging. These factors have led to a decline in their population.