Southern Black Korhaan

Gackeltrappe ( Eupodotis afra )

The Gackeltrappe ( Eupodotis afra ) is within the order of the Gruiformes ( Gruiformes ) to the family of bustards ( Otididae ) and is one of 24 known species Trapp.

Appearance

Gackeltrappen be up to 50 cm tall and weigh about 700 grams These birds have a strong mottled pattern of dark brown and white plumage on the back, which is outlined in white and stands in stark contrast to the otherwise black body. The head is black with a white spot behind each of the orange-brown eyes and a small golden - brown and white striped tuft of feathers on the back of the head. The beak is pale pink with a gray increase on the upper mandible. The tail is grayish with two strong black stripes. The legs are bright yellow. The plumage of the female is brownish Gackeltrappen with more spots on the back, whitish breast and belly black.

Distribution and habitat

Gackeltrappen are native to South Africa and live primarily in open grassland and marshy areas.

In the late 1970s bred Gackeltrappen in Bontebok National Park, their number was there but unstable.

Way of life

Gackeltrappen feed on plant material and insects. In the southwest of the former Cape Province they also eat seeds imported in the 19th century Acacia cyclops and the willow leaf acacia and therefore contribute significantly to the spread of these species which.