Mammals crepuscular

Mountain Reedbuck

Redunca fulvorufula

A specialist of the high country, the Mountain Reedbuck is a master of camouflage and agility. Watch for the flash of its white tail as it navigates rocky slopes with effortless grace.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Shoulder height 28-32 inches (70-82 cm); weight 45-77 lbs (20-35 kg)

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Colors

Soft greyish-brown to tawny upper body; bright white underparts and throat; males possess short, ridged horns that curve forward

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Key Features

Short horns (males) that curve sharply forward at the tips
Distinctive circular black scent patch located just below each ear
Fluffy tail with a conspicuous white underside displayed during flight
Preference for steep, rocky slopes rather than flat plains

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern crepuscular

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Peak hours 5-8 AM, 4-7 PM

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Season Year-round

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Diet Primarily grazers that favor tender, green grasses found on mountain slopes; they require regular access to water and will occasionally browse on shrubs during the dry season.

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Habitat Broken, rocky terrain and steep grassy hillsides with sufficient cover from trees or bushes, usually within reach of a permanent water source.

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Behavior

Mountain Reedbuck are social but wary antelopes, typically found in small family groups of three to eight individuals, though larger herds may form near prime water sources. They are highly territorial, with dominant males guarding slopes that offer both grazing and a clear vantage point against predators. When a Mountain Reedbuck senses danger, it emits a piercing, bird-like whistle through its nostrils, a signal that alerts the entire group to retreat up the rocky incline where they are more agile than most pursuers.

While they are generally shy around humans, they can become somewhat accustomed to activity in hilly suburban fringes or eco-estates. They spend the heat of the day resting in the shade of trees or rocky overhangs, becoming most active when the shadows lengthen. Their movement is characterized by a distinctive rocking-horse gait, and they frequently 'stot' or pronk—jumping with all four legs stiffly—to show off their fitness to potential predators like leopards or caracals.

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Camera Tips

To capture the best footage of Mountain Reedbuck, placement is everything. Because they inhabit sloping terrain, you must avoid the common mistake of mounting your camera parallel to the ground. If the camera is on a steep hill, tilt it downward to follow the grade of the slope; otherwise, you may only capture the legs of an animal walking 'above' the frame or the tops of the heads of those below. Look for established game trails that traverse the mid-section of a hill, as these are their preferred highways between sleeping spots and watering holes.

Water is the ultimate lure for this species. Unlike some desert-adapted antelopes, Mountain Reedbuck need to drink almost daily. Positioning a camera near a secluded mountain seep or a garden water feature in hilly suburbs is a guaranteed way to see them. Ensure your camera has a fast trigger speed (0.3 seconds or less). These animals are naturally skittish; if they catch the scent of the camera or hear a mechanical click, they may bolt, and a slow camera will leave you with nothing but a blurry white tail in the corner of the frame.

Night vision settings are crucial since this species is most active during the 'golden hours' and well into the night. Use a 'No-Glow' or 'Black Flash' infrared camera if possible. While 'Low-Glow' LEDs are often fine for larger mammals, the Mountain Reedbuck has exceptional eyesight and can be spooked by the faint red glow of standard IR sensors. Setting your camera to take a short video clip (10-15 seconds) rather than just a still photo will allow you to see their fascinating social interactions and hear their distinctive alarm whistle.

Lastly, be mindful of the wind and vegetation. Mountain slopes are notoriously breezy, and long mountain grasses moving in front of a PIR sensor will result in thousands of 'false trigger' photos of empty scenery. Clear a small 5-foot radius of tall grass directly in front of the lens. If you are setting the camera in a suburban backyard bordering a nature reserve, try to place it near the edge of the property where the natural bush meets the lawn, as they often cross these boundaries under the cover of darkness to graze on nutrient-rich garden grasses.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Mountain Reedbuck.

Southern Reedbuck

Much larger with a more golden-brown coat, found in flat wetlands rather than rocky slopes.

Grey Rhebok

Has much longer, thinner ears and straight, needle-like horns, whereas the Mountain Reedbuck's horns curve forward.

Common Duiker

Significantly smaller with a characteristic tuft of hair between the horns and a much more solitary nature.

Frequently Asked Questions

Mountain Reedbuck are crepuscular, meaning they are most active during the dawn and dusk periods. They typically move down the slopes to graze and drink in the early morning and late afternoon, spending the hottest parts of the day resting in cover.

If your property borders hilly or mountainous terrain, providing a reliable, quiet water source is the best way to attract them. They are also drawn to lawns with short, green grass, but they require nearby thickets or rocky cover to feel safe enough to visit.

They are predominantly grazers that eat a variety of mountain grasses. While they prefer the most succulent green shoots, they are known to supplement their diet with leaves and twigs from shrubs if grass becomes scarce during the winter months.

They are common only in specific suburban areas that sit on the fringes of hills, mountains, or nature reserves in Southern and East Africa. They are well-adapted to living near humans if there are no domestic dogs to harass them and if there is a 'green corridor' to higher ground.

The Mountain Reedbuck is smaller and has a more greyish-toned coat compared to the larger, more yellowish-brown Southern Reedbuck. Most importantly, Mountain Reedbuck are found on steep, rocky hillsides, whereas Southern Reedbuck prefer flat, tall grasslands near reedbeds or marshes.

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