Ludwigs bustard

Introduction: Ludwig's bustard (Neotis ludwigii) is named after the German botanist, businessman, pharmacist and zoo-keeper Baron Carl von Ludwig (1784-1847), who resided in Cape Town from 1805-1847. They prefer an arid woodland habitat in Namibia, found singly or in pairs.

Distribution: Namib Naukluft Park, Skeleton Coast National Park, Etosha National Park with the range extending south through to Windhoek and down to the Fish River Canyon and the Orange River.

Diet: Forages by slowly walking and pecking for grasshoppers, beetles, locusts, caterpillars, ants, spiders, centipedes, scorpions, reptiles and rodents. Also eats berries, seeds and leaves.

Description: Large bustards with rufous hind necks but no crest. Neotis is Latin for 'new bustard'. These bustards inflate their necks and upper chest in spectacular 'balloon' displays whilst also erecting their white feathers.

Breeding: Females lay between 1 and 3 eggs between February and May.

Size: 95cm.

Weight: 3kg.

Wingspan: 1.8m. Males are much larger than females.