Which is the largest flying bird in Africa? Which is the largest flying bird in Africa? Africa is also one of the best places on earth for birding. It is home to a quarter of the global biodiversity and hosts the world’s largest intact mammal population. Of the 2,477 bird species in Africa, 1,400 are endemic to the continent, making it one of the premier sites for birder-tourists from all over the world. however, most visitors ask which is the largest bird seen while on a birding safari in Africa. The Kori bustard also known as “Ardeotis kori” is the largest flying bird native Africa. More so, is one of the four species ranging from Africa to India to Australia) in the large-bodied Ardeotis genus.
Appearance
The Kori Bustards is a sight to behold. Male are particularly impressive, often reaching heights of about 3 feet and weighing up to 40 pounds. Thire plumage is a stunning mix of brown, gray and whites, allowing them to blend seamlessly into their surrounding. The feathers are intricately patterned, which gives them an air of elegance. Their long necks and sturdy legs adds to their imposing stature, making them look quite regal as they stroll through the grasslands.
Females, on the other hand, area generally smaller and less flamboyant in color. Their plumage is more subdued, which helps them stay hidden from predators, especially while nesting. Both sexes have a distinctive, broad head with a slight crest and a long, pointed beak, which they use for foraging.
Diet
The Kori Bustard is an omnivore, which means it enjoys a varied diet. Its meals primarily consist of insects, small mammals, and plants. The bird is known for its keen eyesight, which helps it spot food from a distance. Insects make up a substantial portion of its diet, and it particularly enjoys grasshoppers, locusts, beetles, carrion, seeds, berries and roots.
Interestingly, the Kori Bustard will also eat small reptiles, amphibians, and even seeds and fruits when they are available. This adaptability in diet ensures that the Kori Bustard can thrive in a variety of environments, allowing it to find food sources even during challenging conditions. Its feeding habits often involve wandering around in search of food, using its strong legs to cover large areas in its quest for a satisfying meal. Another important habit of Kori Bustards is that they drink using a sucking motion, unlike other birds that scoop up the water with their bills.
Breeding
The breeding session for the Kori Bustard occurs during the warmer months, usually from December to August. The southern subspecies breeds from September to February. During the breeding season, males perform elaborate displays, including deep booming sound that can be heard form great distances, inflating their esophagus up to four times its usual size, erecting neck feathers, and fanning the tail to expose their white under tail coverts. These displays can last for several days and can be performed singly or in a group. Once a female has chosen a male, actual copulation is quite brief, lasting only a few seconds.
One a male successfully attracts a mate; the female will lay a clutch of 1 to 3 eggs in a shallow scrape on the ground. The reproduction usually only occurs once a year lasting about 23-30 days. When the female is laying her eggs, it is common for a mother not to create a thick nest; she may even lay them on ground. During this time, the male may stay close by to protect the territory.
Once the chicks hatch, they are precocial, meaning they are relatively mature and mobile shortly after birth. They can walk and forage for food within hours, aided by their mother who helps guide them. The Kori Bustard’s breeding strategy allows their young to quickly become self-sufficient, which is crucial for survival in the wild.
Behavior
The Kori Bustard, known for its ground-dwelling habits, gets its name from the fact that it mainly walks instead of flying. They fly only, when necessary, because of their weight. It is even appearing that the Kori Bustards may become categorized as the few large flightless birds like ostriches and emus, which means they may be returning to an ancient ancestral form, since they, and the other cranes, are descendants of large flightless predators. They have a long life span and breed slowly. They usually stay in one area as long as there’s enough food, and then they migrate like many other animals do.
You can spot them alone, in pairs, or in groups in woodlands, grasslands, and the Kalahari scrub. The Kori Bustard walks slowly and purposefully and is not keen on flying. During courtship, the male puffs out his throat to display his white neck feathers, draws back his head with a raised crest, lowers his wings, and tilts his tail upward and forward toward his neck.
The birds have a majestic walk and for their size are remarkably strong fliers. They take off with very heavy wing beats, but once air-borne they fly quickly and strongly. They prefer to walk away from danger and only fly if pressed. When in a group, the birds walk in a loose line across the veld searching for food.
Habitat
Kori Bustards thrive in open savannas, grasslands, and scrublands—typical landscapes found in southern and eastern Africa. They are commonly associated with areas that provide a mix of short and tall grasses, which offer both food and cover. These birds prefer habitats with a low density of trees and shrubs, as their natural behavior revolves around being able to see any potential threats from a distance. These birds are not known to migrate as much as other birds, only when needed during scarcity of food or weather.
Where to find Kori Bustards while on a birding safari in Africa.
While on a birding safari in Africa, Kori Bustards can be spotted on southern and eastern African countries such as Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, southern Angola, South Africa’s national parks like Kruger National Park and southern Mozambique. In East Africa, Kori Bustards inhabit parts of Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania.
