Red crested korhaan

Introduction: Red-crested korhaans (Lophotis ruficrista) are dependent on a woodland type habitat in dry country with sandy soils. They are solitary birds that have a characteristic drinking position; standing up to suck the water into their mouth and then raising the head to swallow.

Distribution: North and central Namibia especially Etosha National Park, Epupa Falls, Rundu, Caprivi Strip, Kalahari Desert. Absent from Namib Desert.

Diet: Walks and pecks close to the ground for insects such as termites, beetles, grasshoppers and ants, centipedes and spiders. Also eats seeds, grains, berries and fruit.

Description: Ruficrista is the Latin word for 'red crest'.

Breeding: Females lay 1 or 2 eggs in a shallow scrape on the ground between September and April with an incubation period of 22 days.

Size: 50cm.

Weight: 675g.

Wingspan: 90cm.