Abstract
Kori Bustards were in Africa when
primative man finally decided that it
might be a good idea to stand up for
the first time. They were also there
long before the Super Continent split
into Africa, Australia, Saudia Arabia
and India.
This fact is readily apparent with
the four species of Ardeotis being
represented by Ardeotis kori in
Africa, Ardeotis australis in Australia,
Ardeotis arabis in Saudia Arabia
andArdeotis nigriceps in India.
Excerpts taken from ' 'Birds of the
World" by Oliver L. Austin, Jr., state
''The Bustards (Spp.) are a well
marked family of large cursorial
upland ground birds that live on
open, grassy plains and brushy savannas
.... The Bustards are great
wanderers and some of the northern
species perform extensive migrations.
They fly in typical crane fashion
with the head and neck straight
out in front. Their wings beat
strongly and steadily. In flight they
strongly resemble geese; the noticeable
difference being their long legs
trailing behind the tail and curious
aerial posture of the rear of the body
sagging low. Unlike cranes and geese,
they are not high fliers, and even on
long migrations Bustards seldom rise
more than 200 or 300 feet above the
ground.
As a rule, Bustards travel in small
flocks of a dozen or so birds. Highly
popular as game birds, they run so
rapidly they are difficult for a hunter
to approach on foot. However, they
often crouch and hide, depending on
camouflage to protect them. Unfortunately,
they show so little fear of a
man on horseback or camelback or in
a car that they have little chance
against modern weapons. Like all
birds of savory flesh, they have now
become quite rare near centers of
human population. They survive in
parts of their former range only
because of strict protection."