Kori Bustard in Etosha National Park

With a body weight of up to 20 kg, male Kori Bustards (Ardeotis kori) are possibly the heaviest extant animals able to fly. Due to their large weight, however, the birds spend most of their time on the ground and avoid flying as much as possible.  The species occurs in the open grasslands of southern and eastern Africa. Here, the birds are opportunistic regarding their food sources which include insects, molluscs, scorpions, small vertebrates (e.g., lizards, snakes, rodents), as well as grass, fruits, and seeds. They can reach an age of up to 30 years and lay their eggs in shallow depressions on the ground. After mating, the male leaves the female and does not help in rising the young. I have photographed these impressive birds in the Etosha National Park, Namibia, in February 2007. Please click on the photographs to enlarge them…

Kori Bustard in Etosha National Park