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paauw

A South African term for a bustard, particularly the Kori bustard (Ardeotis kori) or the Ludwig's bustard — large, ground-dwelling birds native to African savannas and grasslands.

ˈpɔw172 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026+ Add a definition
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#1·Apr 28, 2026

A South African term for a bustard, particularly the Kori bustard (Ardeotis kori) or the Ludwig's bustard — large, ground-dwelling birds native to African savannas and grasslands. The word comes from Afrikaans and Dutch, meaning 'peacock' (reflecting early Dutch settlers' use of familiar bird names for unfamiliar species). Bustards are impressive birds, among the heaviest flying birds in Africa, and 'paauw' remains in use in South African hunting, birding, and wildlife contexts.

The hunter's greatest trophy was a paauw he shot on the Karoo flats decades ago.
Origin: From Afrikaans/Dutch 'paauw' (peacock); applied by Dutch settlers to African bustards due to superficial resemblance or as a transferred name. Editorial expansion authored on Slangora (model-assisted, hedged).
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#2·Apr 27, 2026

(South Africa) A kind of bustard.

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