Kori Bustard

The Kori Bustard: Africa’s Heaviest Flying Bird

The Kori Bustard: Meeting Africa’s Heavyweight Flyer

The Kori Bustard (Ardeotis kori) is an absolute bruiser of the bird world. A mature male can weigh up to 40 pounds, officially making it the heaviest bird in Africa capable of flight.

Watching one take off is like watching a rumbling C-5 transport plane. It isn't exactly a graceful "launch"; the slow, rhythmic beat of its massive 9-foot wingspan takes considerable effort, but it eventually lifts this big boy aloft into the African sky.

Spotting Giants in the Ngorongoro Crater

I spotted this impressive specimen in the Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania. While I wish I had a scale in the frame to truly illustrate its size, I chose to process this image in black and white to better highlight the bird's incredibly complicated plumage and neck markings.

Witness the "Heavyweight" of the Savannah

Standing 4 to 5 feet tall, the Kori Bustard is a prehistoric-looking marvel that every safari-goer should see at least once.

  • 2026 Expeditions: Our current tour dates are nearly full—check for last-minute availability!

  • 2027 Safari Planning: We are officially booking for our 2027 return to Tanzania. Email for details here.

There’s only one bird on the Serengeti that is bigger than a bustard. Meet him here!

Big Boy

Easy there, big boy!

This photo doesn't offer a sense of scale, but realize that this dude is more than a meter tall! That makes the Kori Bustard (Ardeotis kori) the largest flying bird in Africa (the ostrich is bigger, but doesn't fly). Mature bustards can weigh 40 pounds and are possibly the heaviest creature capable of flight today.

Kori Bustards are rare outside of protected areas. The species is considered "vulnerable" on the endangered list. I was delighted to find this one striding along (like a T-Rex!) looking for a meal on the edge of Lake Magadi (Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania).