Overview
Moving with slow, deliberate steps across the plains, the Kori bustard is a giant among birds and far more likely to be seen walking than flying. It is Africa’s heaviest flying bird, with exceptional males weighing close to 19 kg.
Kori bustards spend most of their lives on the ground, searching for insects, seeds, berries, reptiles and other small animals. Their finely patterned grey-brown plumage blends remarkably well with dry grass and open savannah, allowing such a large bird to become surprisingly difficult to notice when standing still.
Although capable of powerful flight, they usually take to the air only when seriously disturbed. During the breeding season, however, the normally understated male transforms himself, inflating his neck, raising his tail and producing deep booming calls in an extraordinary display designed to attract females.
Behaviour & How to Identify
Look for a very large, long-legged ground bird with a thick neck, crested head and intricately patterned grey, brown and black plumage. Males and females look broadly similar, but males are substantially larger, with a heavier neck and more imposing build.
Kori bustards usually walk slowly through open grassland and lightly wooded savannah, pecking food from the ground. They are omnivorous and highly opportunistic, feeding on insects, seeds, berries, roots, lizards, snakes, rodents and occasional carrion.
When displaying, a male inflates his throat dramatically, erects the neck feathers, lowers his wings and raises his tail to expose the white feathers beneath. His deep booming calls can carry across the open plains.
Interesting facts
The Kori bustard is one of the heaviest birds capable of flight. Large males may weigh as much as 19 kg, although females are only around half their size.
They can drink by drawing water into the mouth. Unlike most birds, which scoop water and raise the head to swallow, Kori bustards can use a sucking motion.
Carmine bee-eaters sometimes ride on their backs. As the bustard walks through the grass, it disturbs insects that the bee-eaters can catch in flight.