Wildlife

The 'Big 5' Birds

Kori Bustard (Ardeotis kori) 

This very large, greyish-brown bird stands 120-150cm tall and can weigh as much as 19kg. The Kori favours lightly wooded savannah bush and is especially common in Savute. The bird moves slowly and sedately when foraging, looking for insects, seeds and acacia gum. 

Their breeding season is from October to February and usually two eggs are laid on the bare ground. The incubation records are based on those of captive birds and last for between 27 and 30 days. Chicks can fly weakly at 4 - 5 weeks and for several hundred metres at 3 - 4 months. The chicks become mature at 3 years old.  The Kori Bustard's status is regarded as vulnerable and is also listed in the Red Data List of Birds.

Saddlebilled Stork (Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis)  

This stork is huge, black and white in colour, with an enormous red-and-black bill with a yellow saddle. The stork stands about 145cm tall with a wingspan of up to 270cm. Females are about 10% smaller than the males. They are usually found alone or in pairs and enjoy floodplains and waterways. It is in this watery environment that they catch fish (up to 500 grams), frogs, small birds and crustaceans. 

Their breeding season is between January and July, during which the female lays 2 - 3 eggs weighing about 146g each. The incubation period is 30 - 35 days with the chicks staying in the nest for about 70 - 100 days. The Saddlebilled Stork's status is rare and it is listed on the Red Data List of Birds.

Pel's Fishing Owl (Scotopelia peli) 

Very large owl, tawny in colour with barred bark markings. This owl does not have the characteristic ear tufts that the other large owls have.  It stands about 60 - 65cm tall and has a wing span of about 150cm. They are usually found in pairs or in family groups within the thick vegetation/woodland during the day in order to escape the African Fish Eagles' prying eyes. 

At night the owl hunts, taking mostly fish (up to 2kg in weight) as well as frogs, crabs and even young crocodiles.  The birds breed in the Okavango Delta between January and June, usually laying two eggs weighing around 85g.  The incubation period is 33 - 38 days, but only one chick is raised and remains in the nest for 68 to 70 days. 

The youngster is dependent on its parents for about four months after leaving the nest, and has an eerie wailing/begging call to attract the parents' attention. This sound is heard frequently around Eagle Island Camp. The Pel's Owl is also on the Red Data List of Birds and its status is considered rare.

Southern Ground Hornbill (Bucorvus leadbeateri) 

Very large, Turkey-like bird, mostly black in colour; juveniles are brown. The adults have characteristic bright red wattles, and the birds stand between 90 and 120cm tall and weigh between 2 - 4kg. The hornbills are carnivorous, eating reptiles, frogs, insects and small mammals (up to the size of a hare). They also favour tortoises and are usually found in groups of up to eight birds. 

The Ground Hornbill usually vocalises early in the morning with a deep booming sound (Du du dudu) repeated several times. Their Setswana name is 'Lehututu', echoing this sound. They breed between October and November, and the incubation period is 40 days. The young remain in the nest for up to 87 days and are dependent on the adults for food for six months to a year. 

The Southern Ground Hornbill is regarded as vulnerable and is listed in the Red Data List of Birds.