Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...
A photo of a Ludwig's Bustard (Neotis ludwigii), female
Ludwig's Bustard, Female

Ludwig's Bustard

Neotis ludwigii

The Ludwig's bustard, Neotis ludwigii, is a medium-to-large bird species within the bustard family, named in honor of Baron von Ludwig. Males are significantly larger than females, with the former averaging around 6.3 kg (14 lb) and the latter 3.4 kg (7.5 lb). The male's length spans from 80 to 95 cm (31 to 37 in), while the female measures between 76 to 85 cm (30 to 33 in).

Identification Tips

This species exhibits a grey-brown face and front neck, with a contrasting white rear neck and face. The nape is tinged with a dull orange hue. Females and juveniles are distinguished from males by their slightly lighter front neck and face, as well as their smaller stature.

Habitat

Ludwig's bustards are inhabitants of grasslands and semi-arid regions, preferring open landscapes where they can roam freely.

Distribution

The Ludwig's bustard is predominantly found on the Western side of Southern Africa, with its range encompassing Western South Africa, Namibia, and occasionally Botswana, covering an area of approximately 380,000 km².

Behaviour

These birds are typically observed in small groups, averaging 2.13 individuals in summer and 3.56 in winter. They do not form large flocks. While once thought to follow rainfall patterns, recent studies suggest they may favor modified habitats such as agricultural fields and pastures.

Song & Calls

The male's mating call is a resonant ‘bloop’ sound. However, detailed information on the species' vocalizations remains scarce.

Breeding

Due to the remote and vast regions Ludwig's bustards inhabit, and their sensitivity to disturbance, reproductive behaviors are not well-documented. Breeding has been noted to occur in March in Namibia.

Diet and Feeding

Ludwig's bustards have an omnivorous diet, feeding on ground-dwelling insects and vertebrates, with a preference for locusts. They also consume flowers and seeds.

Conservation status

The Ludwig's bustard is classified as Endangered. A significant threat to their survival is collisions with power lines, which are exacerbated by the birds' blind spots during flight. It is estimated that between 4,000 and 11,900 individuals die annually from such collisions. Conservation efforts are hindered by a lack of detailed population data, and the expansion of infrastructure poses an increasing threat to their numbers.

App logo
Birda is a birdwatching app and community aimed at curious people who want to deepen their connection with nature.

Ludwig's Bustards on Birda

Photos
Sightings

More Bustards

A photo of a Southern Black Korhaan (Afrotis afra) , male

Southern Black Korhaan

Afrotis afra
Birda Logo

Your birdwatching journey like never before

Connect with nature in minutes
Take a walk, look out of the window and log the birds that you see. Feel good about those little connections to nature.
Discover the joy of birding
Find new birding spots, see more birds, share and celebrate with a like-minded community of nature lovers.
Play your part in saving nature
Logging your birding sightings and sessions turns into positive action for our planet. Every sighting counts.

Birda Blog

What Our Birders Say
Leonie
We've been waiting for an App like this
Excellent! We've been waiting for an app like this! Thank you! It would be nice if you could assign additional birds to sessions later!
Dan R
Great app for bird fanatics
Great app for bird fanatics - very user friendly and a perfect place to share sightings.
Ellesse_W
Learning Birding with Birda
I’m relatively new to birding as a hobby, and Birda is a great way to keep track off all the species I see. I’m still working on my ID skills, but the app is great for figuring out potential species, and the online community is so friendly and helpful. Definitely recommend Birda to both early and serious birders! 🐦
Pdydhdrexgi
Fantastic App
This is a really lovely app, for everyone interested in birds - from newbies to old hands. There is a very friendly feel to the community and you will genuinely learn a lot as you record your sightings and photos. There are lots of badges and competitions to keep you engaged, and a host of really useful features.
Jake W
Great app
I use this app all the time as it’s quick and easy to log individual sightings or whole birding sessions. It’s an excellent way to meet new people and the forum is full of really friendly people. The challenges are a great way to get involved and learn more about birds. Cannot recommend it enough!
778
Great bird recording
For a while I’ve been trying to find an app to easily record bird lists and day out and struggled to find one that I like. Birda is great for this, straightforward and a great community!
Tralisalandhoop
Fantastic app - Love it!
Love this app and have used it almost daily. Lots of species information and easy to use. Love seeing birds spotted by other users in the UK and worldwide.
Amylia S
Best app for any birding person!
I love this app!! I am so addicted to it when I saw it had 3 star review I was so sad! The app is awesome!! The best app for any birding person! ❤️
Sacha0508
Simply fantastic
I love this app, it puts so much fun into recording the birds I’ve seen and heard while I’m out and about. The interface is user-friendly and suitable for all ages. It’s great to collect badges and to review my “lists”.
Anonymous
The best bird logging app
Birda is honestly the best bird logging app I have seen. I love all the features it has from being able to do a session and log all the birds you see in one sitting, to being able to connect with other birders from all over the globe!
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright © 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.