Head to head
Black Wildebeest vs Blue Wildebeest
The black wildebeest and blue wildebeest are close relatives that share the wildebeest name, but their history, size, and horn shape set them clearly apart.
| Black Wildebeest | Blue Wildebeest | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Connochaetes gnou | Connochaetes taurinus |
| Relative size | Smaller | Larger |
| Horn shape | Forward-curving | Outward-sweeping |
| Conservation history | Hunted to near extinction, recovered | Never faced comparable decline |
| Notable behaviour | Local movements | Massive seasonal Great Migration |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Population trend | Stable | Stable |
| Habitat | Grassland, savanna | Savanna, grassland |
Black Wildebeest vs Blue Wildebeest: common questions
Which wildebeest nearly went extinct, the black or the blue?
The black wildebeest was the one hunted to the edge of extinction during the nineteenth century, recovering through protection on private land, while the blue wildebeest never faced a comparable historical decline.
How can you tell a black wildebeest from a blue wildebeest?
The black wildebeest is smaller and darker with forward-curving horns and a white tail, while the blue wildebeest is larger with more outward-sweeping horns and a bluish-grey tone to its coat.
Which wildebeest is part of the famous Great Migration?
The blue wildebeest is the species famous for its role in the massive seasonal Great Migration across East Africa, a phenomenon not associated with the more range-restricted black wildebeest.