Think of the heaviest bird you know—now imagine it lifting off the ground and gliding through the air. That’s the kori bustard, a marvel from Africa weighing in at a staggering 44 pounds, yet somehow managing to defy gravity.
With its powerful wingspan, striking appearance, and surprising survival tricks, the kori bustard breaks all the rules of what a bird should be able to do.
How does this earthbound giant pull off such an extraordinary feat?
Description & Characteristics
The kori bustard is a sight to behold. Imagine a bird with the stature of a small turkey, but with longer legs and a more elongated neck.
Males are the true heavyweights, tipping the scales at 28-44 pounds, while females are about 20% smaller. To put this in perspective, that’s about the weight of a medium-sized dog!
These birds are built for both ground-dwelling and flight:
- Wingspan: Over 6.5 feet, allowing for powerful flight despite their weight
- Coloration: Greyish brown back with a white underside, perfect for camouflage in their grassland habitats
- Head: Adorned with a black crest, giving them a distinguished appearance
- Bill, legs, and feet: Bright yellow, contrasting beautifully with their plumage
- Eyes: Also yellow, providing excellent vision for spotting prey and predators
There are two subspecies of kori bustard, with slight variations in size and facial plumage. But regardless of the subspecies, their impressive size and ability to fly make them stand out in the avian world.
Habitat & Range
If you’re hoping to spot a kori bustard in the wild, you’ll need to head to eastern and southern Africa. These birds have adapted to life in a variety of open habitats:
- Grasslands: Their primary home, where they can easily spot approaching predators
- Semi-deserts: Showcasing their adaptability to drier climates
- Open woodlands: Providing a mix of cover and open spaces
You’re most likely to encounter kori bustards in countries like South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Angola, and Zimbabwe. They prefer areas with sparse grass cover, scattered trees or shrubs, and low annual rainfall between 100-600mm.
Diet & Foraging
Kori bustards are opportunistic omnivores, meaning they’ll eat just about anything they can find. Their diet is as diverse as their habitat:
- Insects: A staple food, especially for young bustards
- Small animals: Including lizards, snakes, and even small mammals
- Carrion: They’re not above scavenging when the opportunity arises
- Plant matter: Seeds, berries, and roots round out their diet
One fascinating aspect of their foraging behavior is their attraction to bush fires. These clever birds have learned that fires often leave behind a buffet of dead insects, making for easy pickings.
Behavior
Despite their ability to fly, kori bustards spend most of their time – up to 70% – on the ground. They’re shy creatures, preferring to avoid confrontation when possible.
If you’re lucky enough to spot one, you might see it quietly walking away to escape detection. When truly alarmed, a kori bustard will first attempt to run. Their long legs make them surprisingly quick on the ground.
Only when pushed to their limits will they take to the air, their heavy wing beats a testament to the effort required to lift their substantial weight.
Breeding & Lifespan
The breeding habits of kori bustards are as fascinating as the birds themselves. They follow a polygynous mating system, where males gather in areas called leks (ref) to display for females.
Here’s what you might see at a kori bustard lek:
- Males inflating their throat pouches to impressive sizes
- Crests and tails raised high, making the birds appear even larger
- Bill-snapping displays, adding an auditory component to the visual spectacle
Once a female chooses a mate, she’ll lay 1-2 eggs in a simple ground nest. She then takes on all parental duties, incubating the eggs for 23-24 days and caring for the chicks until the following breeding season.
The Kori Bustard: A Heavyweight Champion Worth Protecting
The kori bustard truly is a marvel of nature. As the heaviest flying bird in the world, it challenges our expectations of what’s possible in the avian world. From its impressive size to its unique behaviors and adaptations, this African giant offers a fascinating glimpse into the diversity of life on our planet.
So the next time someone asks you about the heaviest flying bird in the world, you can confidently tell them about the kori bustard – a true heavyweight champion of the skies.
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Davin is a jack-of-all-trades but has professional training and experience in various home and garden subjects. He leans on other experts when needed and edits and fact-checks all articles.