Walking slowly and sedately, they forage by picking at the ground with the bills and are most active in the first and last hours of daylight. Due to their ground location, nests are often cryptic and difficult for a human to find, unless stumbled onto by chance. Table 3 provides ranges for kori bustard size and weight parameters. The hollow may measure 300–450 mm (12–18 in) in diameter and be almost completely covered by the female when she's incubating. There is a white eye stripe above the eye. [28] Occasionally she stretches her legs and raises her wings overhead. Ethiopia and Sudan, and in Tanzania around Lake Natron and in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro) but in these areas, the birds are hunted. The crest on its head is blackish in coloration, with less black on the female's crest. They fledge at 4 to 5 weeks old, but are not self-assured fliers until 3 to 4 months. [25] Chicks tend to be the most vulnerable to predators by far. One 10 km (6.2 mi) stretch of overhead powerlines in the Karoo killed 22 kori bustards during a five-month period. [22] The males hold their heads backwards, with cheeks bulging, the crest is held erect, the bill open and they inflate their gular pouches, forming a white throat "balloon". The feet have three forward facing toes. A broad white supercilium bordered with black meets on the nape, extending down the centre of the nape. They may also be found in cultivated areas, especially wheat fields with a few scattered trees. In South Africa they are also infrequent to rare in the Free State, North West and Northern Cape Provinces, extending southwards into the interior of the Western and Eastern Cape Provinces. There is a white eye stripe above the eye. The eggs weigh individually about 149 g (5.3 oz), with a range of 121 to 178 g (4.3 to 6.3 oz). [10], Following the display, the copulation begins with the female lying down next to the dominant displaying male. The display of the adult male may make it more conspicuous to larger predators, such as hyenas or lions. Kori bustards are distinguished from Denham's bustard (Neotis denhamii) and Ludwig's bustard (Neotis luwigii), both of which they sometimes forage with, by their greyer appearance and by their lack of a tawny red hind-neck and upper mantle. Kori bustards are quite omnivorous birds. Sizes: Full size: 1200x861 This big guy let us get quite close. Description. Breeding is closely tied with rainfall, and in drought years, may be greatly reduced or not even occur. The bird also has poor frontal vision, and this smaller vertical extent to which it can see means it often does not spot the electric lines until it is too late. When alarmed, kori bustards make barking calls and bend forward and spread their tail and wings to appear larger. They may utter a deep vum on takeoff. They enhance their performance with an exaggerated bouncing gait. The ventral plumage is more boldly colored, with white, black and buff. In one documented attack by a martial eagle on an adult kori bustard, both birds ended up wounded, the eagle with a bleeding leg from the bustard's counterattack, but the bustard more seriously injured, with a broken wing and several open wounds. Less vocal than other bustards, the kori bustard is generally silent but, when alarmed, both sexes emit a loud growling bark. Sinclair I., Hockey P. & Tarboton W. 1997. Captive hatchlings weigh 78 to 116 g (2.8 to 4.1 oz) on their first day but grow quickly. The upper parts and neck are a vermiculated black and greyish-buff colour. In the Etosha National Park these birds have been recorded moving up to 85 km (53 mi) from mopane woodland to open grassland plains and returning again the following season. Chicks tend to be the most vulnerable to predators by far. [34] Nonetheless, because it has such a large range and its rate of decline is thought to be relatively slow, the kori bustard is not currently listed in a threatened category on the IUCN Red List. Weight: ⦠In fact, some birds have been found to weigh almost 20 kilograms. Fifteen other bird species and 12 mammals have successfully co-habitated with them (including rhinoceros). Although it walked away, the injured bustard in the confrontation was found dead the next morning, being fed on by a jackal. https://animals.fandom.com/wiki/Kori_Bustard?oldid=78455. The feathers around the neck are loose, giving the appearance of a thicker neck than they really have. [9][26] Hunting of bustards is difficult to manage. The legs are yellowish. The specific epithet kori is derived from the Tswana name for this bird - Kgori. October 10th, 2010. Females of the nominate race (35 specimens) in Namibia weighed a mean of 5.62 kg (12.4 lb), while females from A. k. struthiunculus weighed a mean of 5.9 kg (13 lb). Fifteen other bird species and 12 mammals successfully cohabitated with them (including rhinoceros). They are usually residential in their range, with some random, nomadic movement following rainfall. & Milstein P. le S. 1989. The eggs weigh individually about 149 g (5.3 oz), with a range of 121 to 178 g (4.3 to 6.3 oz). They are common in Botswana and Namibia, extending into southern Angola and marginally into southwestern Zambia. This species, like most bustards, is a ground-dwelling bird and an opportunistic omnivore. More similar to, and nearly the same size as, the kori is the closely related Arabian bustard (Ardeotis arabs) (despite its name, the latter species ranges well into East Africa). Copulation lasts seconds after which both stand apart and ruffle their plumage. The same site is sometimes reused in successive years. [21], Small vertebrates may also be taken regularly, including lizards, chameleons, small snakes, small mammals (especially rodents) and bird eggs and nestlings. They may stand chest-to-chest, tails erect, bills locked and 'push' one another for up to 30 minutes. The females, considerably smaller than the males, weigh between 4.8 and 6.1 kg on average. Young bustards are most at risk even to bigger predators, but animals of similar body mass to a bustard, such as jackals or caracals, or larger also capably kill adults. [25], Kori bustards' breeding season is different between the two subspecies. The kori bustard is now generally uncommon outside major protected areas. This nest is usually located within 4 m (13 ft) of a tree or shrub, termite mound or an outcrop of rocks. Larger groups may be found around an abundant food source or at watering holes. Many, despite their cryptic camouflage and the mother's defenses, are regularly picked off by jackals and leopards at night. The kori bustard is generally a somewhat scarce bird. The female's plumage is drab and earth-colored, which makes her well camouflaged. A black collar at the base of the hind-neck extends onto the sides of the breast. The displaying males are visited by the females who presumably select the male with the most impressive display. The adult male great bustard is amongst the heaviest living flying animals. Size: Height: Males stand around 4.5 feet and females around 2.25 feet Weight: Males weigh around 30 pounds and females 15 pounds. [19] When they land, kori bustards keep their wings spread and only fold them when the bird has slowed down to a walking speed. [10], During the mating season, these birds are usually solitary but for the breeding pair. [9] The head is large and the legs are relatively long. A geographically disjunct population also occurs in the deserts and savanna of northeastern Africa. The eye is pale yellow, while the bill is light greenish horn coloured, relatively long, straight and rather flattened at the base. [12] Male birds may typically weigh between 7 and 18 kg (15 and 40 lb). These displays usually take place in the mornings and evenings. The species is prominent in many native African cultures, variously due to its imposing, impressive size, spectacular displays by adult males or the cryptic nature of the nesting female. [21] Trial satellite tagging of one male kori bustard by the National Museums of Kenya demonstrated a migration along the Rift Valley between Tanzania and southeastern South Sudan. This liking has given rise to the Afrikaans common name Gompou or, literally translated, "gum peacock". The underparts may be pale buff, white or solid black. [2][5], The kori bustard is found throughout southern Africa, except in densely wooded areas. Male kori bustards are among the heaviest birds capable of flight, sometimes weighing in at around 40 pounds. The second is smaller (up to 110 cm) and the third is the smallest (up to 88 cm) The differences in these birds are quite marked apart from the size of course, if you know what to look for. Following the display, the copulation begins with the female lying down next to the dominant displaying male. [7] The feathers around the neck are loose, giving the appearance of a thicker neck than they really have. Male kori bustard ⦠[2] They have a hesitant, slow manner of walking, and when they detect an intruder they try to escape detection by moving off quietly with the head held at an unusual angle of between 45° and 60°. It may be found in plains, arid plateaus, highveld grassland, arid scrub, lightly wooded savanna, open dry bushveld and semi-desert. The underparts are whitish. They have been seen acting aggressively towards red-crested korhaans (Eupodotis ruficrista), springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis), plains zebra (Equus burchelli) and gemsbok (Oryx gazella). Unusually, they suck up rather than scoop up water. Great Bustard (Otis tarda) Part of the: Bustard Family (pertaining to Cranes as well as Rails). The female then sometimes barks and the male continues with his display. The Kori bustard (Ardeotis kori), is the largest species of bustard native to Africa. Egg size is 81 to 86 mm (3.2 to 3.4 in) in height and 58 to 61 mm (2.3 to 2.4 in) width. The chin, throat and neck are whitish with thin, fine black barring. She occasionally picks up pieces of vegetation and drops them on her back to render her camouflage more effective. The displaying males are visited by the females who presumably select the male with the most impressive display. During outbreaks of locusts and caterpillars, kori bustards are sometimes found feeding on them in numbers. The lores are tawny, the crown tawny mottled black. Take your favorite fandoms with you and never miss a beat. Among bustards, only male great bustards (Otis tarda) achieve similarly high weights (the mean mass of males in these species is roughly the same) making the male kori and great not only the two largest bustards but also arguably the heaviest living flying animals. [3] Kenya may hold the largest population of kori bustards of any country and it can even border on abundant in the North Eastern Province. The kori bustard is a solitary nester and there is no evidence of territoriality amongst the females. In fact, the male kori bustard may be the heaviest living animal capable of flight. The Kori Bustard Weighs Up to 18 kg This heavy bird has a surprising weight range. [9][27], The kori bustard is often found in areas with a large quantity of antelope and other game. [10] Breeding habitat is savanna in areas with sparse grass cover and scattered trees and shrubs. While too large to be prey for most predatory birds, it is known that the martial eagle is a serious natural enemy even for adult bustards. This species is common in Tanzania at Ngorongoro National Park, Kitulo National Park and Serengeti National Park. [21][9][27] When alarmed, kori bustards make barking calls and bend forward and spread their tail and wings to appear larger. The courtship displays of the males are impressive and elaborate, successfully advertising their presence to potential mates. [5] Kenya may hold the largest population of kori bustards of any country and it can even border on abundant in the North Eastern Province. This picture makes it clear that not only is the Kori Bustard a big bird but the Thomsonâs Gazelle is a pretty small gazelle, barely a meal for a family of lions. Many, despite their cryptic camouflage and the mother's defenses, are regularly picked off by jackals and leopards at night. [36] Poisons used to control locusts may also effect and collisions with overhead power wires regularly claim kori bustards. The Kori Bustard has a mainly white stomach, brown back, and completely grey neck with a crest on the crown. The average weight of adult males of the nominate race in Namibia (20 specimens) was 11.3 kg (25 lb), while A. k. struthiunculus males were found to average 10.9 kg (24 lb). The young are precocial and very well camouflaged. [26], Kori bustards engage in lek mating. The kori bustard is a solitary nester and there is no evidence of territoriality amongst the females. [9] Adults will growl when their young are threatened by predators. When kept in captivity, kori bustards have been kept together with numerous other (typically African) species in close quarters. HD video of kori bustards, the heaviest bird capable of flight, recorded in the wild in Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania, Africa. [10] On average, around 67% of eggs successfully hatch (testimony to the effective camouflage of nests) and around one of the two young survive to adulthood. As a whole, other species, such as Dalmatian pelican (Pelecanus crispus), Andean condor (Vultur gryphus) and trumpeter swan (Cygnus buccinator), might weigh more on average between the sexes but are less sexually dimorphic in mass than the giant bustards. [21] Kori bustards have been observed to behave aggressively to non-threatening animals at watering holes, as they may raise their crests, open their wings and peck aggressively. Both Stanley's and Ludwig's bustards lack the kori's dark crest. Although no longer classified as game birds, they are still sometimes eaten. Reports of outsized specimens weighing 23 kg (51 lb), 34 kg (75 lb) and even "almost" 40 kg (88 lb) have been reported, but none of these giant sizes have been verified and some may be from unreliable sources. However, the Arabian species has white-tipped wing coverts, a browner back and very fine neck vermiculations and also lacks the black base to the neck and the black in the wing coverts as seen in the kori. Their wings are drooped and their tails are raised upwards and forwards onto their backs like a turkey, the retrices being held vertically and their undertail coverts fluffed out. They prefer lizards and other small animals, but they'll also eat insects and berries. The bee-eaters make the most of their walking perch by hawking insects from the bustard's back that are disturbed by the bustard's wandering. When the chicks hatch, the mother brings them a steady stream of food, most of it soft so the chicks can eat it easily. In Tanzania, kori bustards regularly attend blue wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus) herds and feed on the small mammals and insects disturbed by them. [21] Unusually, they suck up rather than scoop up water. Females are similar in plumage but are much smaller, measuring about 20-30% less in linear measurements and often weighing 2-3 times less than the male. The second is smaller (up to 110 cm) and the third is the smallest (up to 88 cm) The differences in these birds are quite marked apart from the size of course, if you know what to look for. Otherwise, they are somewhat gregarious, being found in groups often including 5 to 6 birds but occasionally groups can number up to 40 individuals. [27], Being a large, ground-dwelling bird species, the kori bustard is vulnerable to many of Africa's myriad of formidable terrestrial predators. They enhance their performance with an exaggerated bouncing gait. As with all bustards, the female makes no real nest. It is one of the four species (ranging from Africa to India to Australia) in the large-bodied genus Ardeotis. They may utter a deep vum on takeoff. A shock display may be performed when a bird is alarmed. [21] Being a large and heavy bird, it avoids flying if possible. These groups are believed advantageous both in that they may ensure safety in numbers against predation and may bring the bustards to prime food sources. Male kori bustards, which can be more than twice as heavy as the female, attempt to breed with as many females as possible and then take no part in the raising of the young. Criteria: A2bcd+3bcd+4bcd Click here for more information about the Red List categories and criteria Justification of Red List category This huge African bustard is suspected to be undergoing moderately rapid population declines across much of its range owing to a variety of threats including collisions with power lines, hunting and habitat degradation. [2][21][20] More similar to, and nearly the same size as, the kori is the closely related Arabian bustard (Ardeotis arabs) (despite its name, the latter species ranges well into East Africa). [9] After a few weeks, the young actively forage closely with their mothers. They follow fires or herds of foraging ungulates, in order to pick their various foods out of the short grasses. Up to 82% of kori bustard chicks die in their first year of life. There is a white eye stripe above the eye. In Zimbabwe they are generally sparse but locally common, particularly on the central plateau. The ventral plumage is more boldly colored, with white, black and buff. Other than a 23 kg (51 lb) mute swan (Cygnus olor), the maximum size of the large bustards exceeds that of other flying birds. In general, A. k. struthiunculus breeds from December to August and A. k. kori breeds from September to February. [21] When kept in captivity, kori bustards have been kept together with numerous other (typically African) species in close quarters. [21] Kori bustards have no preen gland, so to keep clean, they produce a powder down. When found with carmine bee-eaters, the smaller birds may incidentally provide some protection from predators due to their vigilance. [21] Up to 82% of kori bustard chicks die in their first year of life. The legs are yellowish. Plant material is also an important food. Female length is from 80 to 120 cm (2 ft 7 in to 3 ft 11 in) and they usually stand 60 cm (2 ft 0 in) tall and have a wingspan of 177 to 220 cm (5 ft 10 in to 7 ft 3 in). Male kori bustards grow to an impressive size, standing about 4.5 feet and weighing 30 pounds on average. Leopards (Panthera pardus), caracals (Caracal caracal), cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus), lions (Panthera leo), spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta), African rock pythons (Python sebae), jackals (Canis ssp. This is ⦠Males are much larger than females, which are about 15 pounds. In groups, birds are often fairly far apart from each other, often around a distance of 100 m (330 ft). The white may be visible up to 1 km (0.62 mi) away during display. It weighed in at 70kg and had a wingspan of 7m, about the same size as a Cessna 152 light aircraft. During this display the oesophagus inflates to as much as four times its normal size and resembles a balloon. [31] Sometimes kori bustards are found with southern carmine bee-eaters (Merops nubicoides) and northern carmine bee-eaters (Merops nubicus) riding on their backs as they stride through the grass.
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