Something Different on the H10
Graeme Mitchely had made the drive through Kruger National Park many times before, but the bush has a way of keeping even seasoned visitors on their toes. On an evening return to camp along the H10, he came across a sight he had never seen in all his years visiting the park.
A Kori Bustard stood alone in the middle of the road, and at its feet was a dead scrub hare. Two other bustards had slipped into the bush as Graeme pulled up, leaving this one bird centre stage, and apparently unwilling to abandon the spotlight.
A Performance in Full Swing
What followed was unlike anything Graeme had witnessed before. The bustard began tossing the hare back and forth, fluffing his wings and fanning his tail feathers into a dramatic display while vocalising throughout. The behaviour had all the hallmarks of a courtship performance, with the bird seemingly putting on a show for the female and juvenile that had retreated into the bush moments earlier.
Despite the effort, his audience never reappeared. After some time, he gave up waiting and flew off into the bush to find them. It was, as Graeme put it, “definitely something different.”
The World’s Largest Flying Bird
The Kori Bustard holds the title of the world’s largest flying bird, with males capable of reaching up to 19 kilograms. They are a relatively common sight in Kruger, often seen striding slowly through open grassland and thornveld, but they are not often seen behaving like this.
Kori Bustards are omnivorous, though they lean more carnivorous than most other bustard species. Insects make up the bulk of their diet, particularly for chicks, but adults will readily take small mammals, lizards, snakes, seeds, and berries.
A scrub hare is a substantial meal, and the fact that this bird chose to display with it rather than simply eat it speaks to the complexity of their behaviour.
Never Miss a Moment
If you want to catch sightings like this one as they happen, join our exclusive WhatsApp group where we share the latest viral wildlife moments and incredible encounters from across the bush.
Courtship on a Grand Scale
Male Kori Bustards are known for elaborate displays during the breeding season. They inflate their neck feathers, fan their tails, and hold their wings out to appear as large and impressive as possible.
Vocalization plays a role too, with deep booming calls carrying across the open landscape. Incorporating a prey item into that display is less documented, but it may serve as a signal of the male’s hunting ability and, by extension, his fitness as a mate.
Get our Best Sightings as they Come in
Whether or not the female was impressed enough to return, the performance was not wasted on Graeme.
When the Bush Surprises You
That is ultimately what makes Kruger such a remarkable place. No matter how many times you visit, it finds a way to show you something new. A bird, a road, a dead hare, and a display that most people will never witness in a lifetime of game drives.
Graeme’s encounter is a quiet reminder that the most unexpected moments are often the most memorable.