Lophotis savilei
The Savile's Bustard (*Lophotis savilei*) is a medium-sized, strikingly marked terrestrial bird endemic to the arid and semi-arid savannas of West Africa. Measuring approximately 58-65 cm (23-26 in) in length and weighing 1.5-2.5 kg (3.3-5.5 lbs), the male boasts a distinctive black crown, prominent white supercilium, black eye stripe, and a contrasting white cheek patch, set against a sandy-brown back barred with black. Its most notable feature is a vivid black belly that stands out against ...
Found in arid and semi-arid grasslands, acacia savannas, thornbush, and open dry woodlands, typically at low elevations.
Primarily omnivorous, feeding on large insects such as grasshoppers, beetles, and termites, supplemented by seeds, leaves, and occasionally small reptiles or rodents.
Savile's Bustard is a primarily diurnal species, spending its day foraging on the ground and roosting cryptically amongst vegetation at night. Its foraging strategy involves a slow, deliberate walk, head held low, scrutinizing the ground for insects and seeds. During the breeding season, males en...
The Savile's Bustard is exclusively found across the semi-arid Sahel region of West Africa, with its distribution stretching from Senegal and Mauritania in the west, eastward through Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria, Chad, to Sudan, South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Eritrea. While generally considered...
Least Concern
- The male Savile's Bustard performs an incredibly acrobatic courtship display, flying vertically then plunging dramatically. - Its black belly, while striking, surprisingly helps it blend into the dappled shade and light of its savanna habitat. - Despite its large size, it is remarkably cryptic ...