Kori Bustard

The Kori Bustard is a huge, ground-dwelling bird of African grasslands and one of the heaviest birds in the world capable of flight. It walks with a slow, stately gait and is often mistaken at a distance for a mammal grazing in the grass.

Appearance

• Long neck and legs with a heavy, barrel-shaped body
• Grey neck and breast finely marked with fine dark vermiculations
• Blackish crest on the crown, raised during display
• Brown-and-black patterned back and wings with bold barring

Key field marks

• Very large size and long pale legs
• Finely vermiculated grey neck and breast
• Black crest atop the head
• Typically seen walking slowly through grassland rather than in flight

Similar species

Other African bustards, such as Denham's Bustard and Stanley's Bustard, are smaller and have different plumage patterns and ranges; the Kori Bustard is distinguished chiefly by its exceptional bulk.

Range

Occurs in eastern Africa (Kenya, Tanzania) and southern Africa (Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe), with a gap between the two population groups.

Habitat

Prefers open grassland and savanna, avoiding dense woodland and tall vegetation that would hinder its ground-based lifestyle.

Movement

Generally resident and sedentary, though it may move locally in response to rainfall and food availability.

Behavior

Spends most of its time walking on the ground and only takes flight when necessary, as flying is energetically costly for such a heavy bird.

Voice

Generally silent, but males give deep, booming calls during courtship display.

Feeding

An opportunistic omnivore, walking slowly through grassland to take insects, small reptiles, seeds, and other plant material.

Nesting and breeding

Males perform an elaborate courtship display, inflating the throat, raising the crest, and fanning the tail while strutting; the species is polygynous, and the female alone incubates the eggs and raises the precocial chicks on the ground.