Vulnerable Birds

Kori Bustard

Ardeotis kori

Kori Bustard is a large bird feeding on insects and small animals in African savannas.

Scientific name	Ardeotis kori
Swahili name	Mbuni mkubwa
Conservation status	Vulnerable
Class	Aves
Order	Gruiformes
Family	Otididae
Size	Male: 10-19 kg, body length approximately 105-130 cm; female: 5-7 kg, smaller body size

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How to identify

Africa's largest flying bird; coloration mainly gray-brown, with black and white stripes on the chest; distinct black crest on the head; long neck, broad and thick chest; walks with a steady gait and large body size.

Habitat

Open woodland savanna, open grasslands, shrublands, and semi-arid areas

Diet

Omnivorous, feeding mainly on insects (such as locusts, beetles), small vertebrates (such as lizards, small snakes), seeds, and tender plant leaves

When it is active

Diurnal, primarily active during the day, especially in early morning and late afternoon

Where it lives

Mainly distributed in southern and eastern Africa, including Kenya, Tanzania, Namibia, Botswana; commonly seen in Kenya's Maasai Mara National Reserve

How to spot it

Look for them in open grasslands or open woodland savanna at dawn or dusk; use binoculars to observe their distinctive body shape and crest; keep distance to avoid disturbance.

Photography tips

Use a telephoto lens to capture walking and feeding postures; utilize natural light to photograph feather details; keep the background simple to highlight the subject.

Threats

Habitat destruction and loss; agricultural expansion and human disturbance; illegal hunting

Similar species

Great Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps) differs by having a shorter and darker crest; other bustard species are smaller and have distinct color differences.

📖 how to spot the kori bustard on safari