Why the Overberg is helping this threatened species

The Western Cape, including the Overberg, is increasingly seen as a stronghold for the threatened DENHAM’S BUSTARD (Neotis denhami).

So much so that while the global population is falling, the number of Denham’s Bustards in the Western Cape is believed to have actually increased.

This bustard, one of the heaviest flying birds in the world, is regionally listed as Vulnerable (its global listing is Near Threatened). And it occurs across much of Africa. Hunting pressure and loss of habitat are seen as some of their big threats.

In the Western Cape, however, Denham’s Bustards like to use the croplands to forage for food, one of the likely reasons for the increasing numbers here. And that’s often where bird watchers will come across this shy species, as it moves through farmlands in search of food. Here it will feed on insects, small vertebrates, as well as on plants.

Why Fynbos and Renosterveld matter

Still, while modified lands certainly help this species, they also rely completely on natural landscapes such as Fynbos and Renosterveld during breeding season, usually from October onwards in the Western Cape. They lay their eggs, usually just one or two, in bushy vegetation, making it incredibly difficult to find the eggs. Only the female Bustards will incubate the eggs and rear the young.

They’re also very sensitive to disturbances: should a farmer or someone passing through stumble onto their nest, they’re likely to abandon it. And like Blue Cranes, their numbers are also threatened by collisions with powerlines.

Have you seen their display?

One of its most notable characteristics is a wonderful display by male Denham’s Bustards to attract females. It puffs out its chest, creating a huge white balloon that can be seen for kilometres.

But don’t expect to easily photograph this incredible display – or any Denham’s Bustard for that matter. They immediately stop displaying if they become aware of human eyes on them. And are quick to fly away when they’re discovered foraging in the lands.

Because so little is known about Denham’s Bustards, especially the success of their young, organisations such as the OCG and the FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, University of Cape Town, have highlighted the species as one that needs to be monitored. Bi-annual Coordinated Avifaunal Roadcounts (CAR) have listed Denham’s Bustards as one of the 24 key CAR species.

Overberg farmers can also play a role in protecting these species.

Here are a few tips for farmers on how to protect this species on your own property:

Avoid using poisons, even for other bird species, that Bustards could ingest.
Carefully leave a breeding site should you come across one, creating only an absolutely minimal disturbance.
And don’t unlawfully plough natural vegetation – rather make these landscapes available for Bustards to breed in

SOURCES

– Farmer’s Weekly, In Danger: Denham’s Bustard, 19 December 2012
– BirdLife International: Denham’s Bustard Data Zone
– Overberg Renosterveld Conservation Trust, Renosterveld birds: The winners and the losers
– IUCN Red List: Denham’s Bustard