H3_W1_002

Date: 2022

Location: Amboseli, Kenya

Did you know?

The Kori Bustard is the largest flying bird native to Africa. This species, like most bustards, is a ground-dwelling bird and an opportunistic omnivore. The nest is a shallow hollow in the earth, often disguised by nearby obstructive objects such as trees. The name, Kori, is derived from the Tswana name for this bird – Kgori. Kori Bustards 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°.

About the picture

We were driving around in Amboseli National Park last year (2022) when we came across this pair of Kori Bustard in an elaborate courtship ritual that involved dipping and extending the neck, with the tail feathers in an upright position. It went on for at least 15 minutes and It was a unique opportunity for us to observe this behaviourial aspect of these birds.

Fun Fact

Once she has laid eggs, the female Kori Bustard stays at the nest 98% of the time, rarely eating and never drinking. Females are known to camouflage themselves by picking up pieces of vegetation and dropping them on their backs.