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Kori bustard farming the mind boggles!

Saw these in the Mopani area in Feb this year, there were 3 in total, 2 youngsters and the parent was feeding them.

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Great photographs...and a special sighting!

We were lucky enough to have had three separate sightings on our last visit to KNP in early Oct 2009 . Our first sighting (ever) was early morning at Klopperfontein Dam. Saw another Kori Bustard on the way back from Pafuri between Klopperfontein dam & the reservoir - could have been the same bird.
The second sighting was thanks to Ndloti's recommendation that we look on the Tropic of Capricorn Loop - Thanks Ndloti
The third sighting was on the H1-6 just past Twis Appel
After seeing the way they camaflage themselves next to the trunks of the thorn trees, it is easy to see why we have missed them in the past.

If someone really want to see these, they should go to Mapungubwe NP. In the western section, on the border with the farming area. There is a nice open area, previously used for agriculture. You are virtually guaranteed to see some.

On 2011-03-04 we drove from Lower Sabie to a picnic spot on Nwagovila-heuwel. While traveling on the H10, we came across this Kori Bustard.









Interesting Facts
Shangaan elders will caution a young man not to be like a bustard and urge him to make sure he leaves a clean track record behind him when he moves in life. This appears to be in reference to the fact that the Kori Bustard - which usually flies only when in danger - often excretes before it takes off.

Reference - From Prime Origins Guide to Best Birding in Kruger

Near Satara


[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

During my last visit to the Kruger in July this year, we saw 9 Kori Bustards on separate occasions. Also see the one hiding in the grass in the last two photos.