The Whisperer of the Wet Grass
The Common Reedbuck isn’t flashy. It doesn’t have stripes or spirals or dramatic horns—but it’s one of the bushveld’s most quietly elegant antelope. Built for tall grass, wet valleys, and early morning mist, this medium-sized grazer moves like a shadow through the reeds.
Males weigh up to 68 kg and carry forward-curving horns that seem to tilt into the wind. Females are slightly smaller and hornless but equally graceful, with sandy coats and lighter faces that blend perfectly into their grassy world.
Reedbucks prefer peace. They form small family groups of up to six, avoid confrontation, and rely on stillness and camouflage to stay safe. But when startled? They explode into motion, bounding away with a high-pitched whistle that echoes across the veld.
These antelope love moisture. You’ll find them in grasslands, floodplains, and marshy areas where they feed on lush grasses and rest during the heat of the day. Males maintain loose territories and put on gentle shows of dominance—nothing too dramatic, just enough to remind the neighbours who’s who.
Reedbucks aren’t show-offs, but they’re survivors—adaptable, alert, and deeply connected to their environment. In a land full of loud personalities, they’re a quiet success story.
