Kori Bustard: how they bring their massive bodies into the sky

It rises slowly, almost like an airplane, and given its size, weight and slow wing beats, you get the impression that it is struggling to stay aloft. We're talking about the Kori Bustard, a real eye-catcher when you watch this large bird all alone on its way through the savannah. And then this thing also flies, and that's what we're talking about today.

This Kori Bustard is quite a mystery. There are certainly larger birds than this one, such as the ostrich. It is a hefty creature, but it is actually far from being the biggest bird in the world. But if you ask the question ‘what is the heaviest flying bird in Africa?’ then we end up with him. The “Kori Bustard”.

This heavy bird has a surprising weight range. The females, considerably smaller than the males, weigh between 4.8 and 6.1 kg on average. Males, on the other hand, can weigh anything between 7 and 18 kg. So if you spot a particularly large Kori Bustard, the odds are that it is male.

Only, in rare cases, when this magnificent bird begins to fly you notice its very impressive wingspan. The male bird has a wingspan of almost 3 meters. The female, considerably smaller, spans 80 cm across its wings on average. This lengthy spread of their wings is necessary to get their massive bodies into the sky. If the Kori Bustard didn’t have wings large and strong enough to lift itself, it would be like the flightless birds which can only roam the earth.

So the kori bustard, while not the biggest bird alive, is the largest bird with the power of flight. While these large creatures are rather shy, behavior varies from bird to bird. They crouch or run at the first sight of danger, for which they are always on the lookout. Because flying is not the easiest thing for them, they are more likely to run away when threatened.

If they don’t succeed with an on-foot getaway, they take to the air with heavy, slow wingbeats. This is not the easiest thing to do, and they do avoid flying when possible. However, once in the air, they steady out and have an easier time of it.

Kori bustards don’t fly for long and will land soon after taking flight. Normally, within sight of their launch. They also keep low to the ground when flying.

We can observe all of this with great amazement on our safari in Madikwe Game Reserve. Check out some recent photos we took and keep an eye out for this amazing bird when you go on safari!