Day 10 - 12th October - Continued
I took a mini break over the last few weeks so have not posted. Now it is 2014 guess it is time to continue with the trip report.
After the lion we continued to head south.
Kori Bustard
During courtship, the male kori bustard struts about with its crest raised, its neck inflated, and its tail feathers cocked. In addition, on approaching an individual female, the male will sometimes bow low, whilst emitting a low-pitched booming sound. Being a polygamous breeder, the male resumes its courtship display following copulation, having nothing more to do with egg incubation or parental care. The female incubates one to two eggs in a shallow scrape in the ground for 23 to 24 days before hatching. The chicks remain with their mother well after fledging, and only reach sexual maturity after at least two years.
Bateleur Eagle
Juvenile Bateleurs have longer tail and wing feathers than their parents. Young eagles need these longer feathers when they are first learning to fly, as they give them more stability and control in the air. Each year, as the bird molts, its new feathers grow in a little shorter. When the bird reaches maturity, it will have the long, narrow wing and short tail of an adult, which readily distinguish Bateleurs from all other African raptors in flight.
