Which Is The Heaviest Bird In Africa? Kori bustards are the Africa’s heaviest flying birds as well as to the rest of the world. Males typically weigh between 10 to 19 kilograms, while females range from 5.5 to 5.7 kilograms. They measure between 105 to 128 cm in length, and their wingspan is 75 to 76 cm for males and 60 to 65 cm for females. Both males and female Kori bustards have similar feather colors, but their individual patterns can vary. Females are roughly half the size of males. Young males have shorter head crests, lighter-colored eyes, and a darker back compared to adult males. Likewise, young females also have shorter crests and paler eyes as compared to adult females.
The Kori bustard birds are found in various regions across the eastern and southern sub-Saharan Africa mostly in dry habitats such as savannas, grasslands and semi-deserts. They are usually found near water sources and in areas with light tree cover, where they take shelter from the heat of the day. They do not inhabit entirely wooded areas. This captivating bird species are two main groups of these birds, divided by the miombo woodland of Central Africa. The southern group, called Ardeotis kori, can be spotted while on your birdwatching tours in Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Mozambique and southern Angola. Meanwhile, the northeastern population, known as Ardeotis kori struthiunculus can also be spotted while on an African birding tours in Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan, Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
Appearance
Kori bustards have distinct features that make them stand out. They have long necks, crested heads, with their backs being a greyish-brown color. Their necks and chest are a lighter grey with a pattern that looks like little squiggles, while their ballies are mostly black and white spots, and their tails display black and white stripes. All of their bills, legs, feet, and eyes have yellowish tint. There are two types of Kori bustard birds that look quite similar in appearance, but the southern subspecies is slightly larger and has a few differences in facial plumage. hat really sets Kori bustards apart from other bustards is their size, the crest on their heads, and the absence of reddish coloring on the back of the neck. When they fly, it’s easy to recognize them because their underwings have a grey speckled pattern without any white spots.
Food Habits
Kori bustards have a diverse diet and eat a wide range of food. The feed on insects, reptiles, small rodents, birds, carrion, seeds, berries and roots. Insects are especially important in their meals. These birds search for food on the ground and often go to areas affected by bush forest to fins insects that have been killed in the flames. They are known to consume the gum from Acacia trees, either for the gum itself or for the insects inside the gum. Interestingly, when it comes to drinking water, Kori bustards don’t scoop it up like many other birds; instead, the such the water up.
Communication
Kori bustard birds usually keep to themselves, but if they get startled, they might let out a barking or snoring sound. They’ve also been seen growling when their chicks are in danger. During courtship, males create a low roaring sound and show off by puffing up their throats, raising their neck feathers, and spreading their tails. This display reveals their striking white feathers underneath the tail, which can be spotted from as far away as one kilometer.
Behavior
Kori bustard birds typically roam about on their own or in small groups, but sometimes they gather in bigger flocks. They prefer walking quickly with long strides instead of flying. Oten seeking shades under trees to escape the heat. They lack a hind toe and thus are restricted to terrestrial habitats. They have no preen gland, but instead produce powder down and practice dust bathing. While they don’t migrate like some birds do, they are believed to move around a bit in response to rainfall and food availability. The adult and young male Kori Bustards tend to relocate after the breeding season, while the female are seen usually stay put.
Breeding
During the breeding season which occur between between August and December, and East African populations breed between September and February. The male Kori bustard birds showcases impressive behavior to attract females. They make loud booming sounds, stretch out their throat to appear larger, raise their neck feathers, and fan out their trail to show off their underside. These displays can last for several days and can be performed singly or in a group. When a female picks a male she likes, the mating itself is quick, taking just a few seconds.
The Kori bustard birds nest in small depression in the ground, often near the bush grass, containing 2 to 3 eggs. The female Kori bustard bird incubates these eggs by herself for about 23 days. After the eggs hatch, the chicks are ready to move around and are taken care of by the female, although the male bird may be around occasionally.
