Birds Eye
Nearly imperceptible amid the tall grasses, a Korhaan briefly locks eyes with me before continuing its journey.
The Savannah teems with vitality, often brimming with unexpected moments. During a brief pause in our journey out one morning, I took a moment to adjust my camera lens and test the desired focal length for a swift capture. We had stumbled upon the tracks of elusive black rhinos, concealed within the thorny bushes nearby. While the guide and tracker halted on the path, scrutinising the trail ahead and observing the hoof-like imprints of our sought-after subject, my focus remained fixed on the adjacent grasses, fine-tuning the lens for its optimal range.
Suddenly, my attention was drawn to a swift glimpse of a head, its movements erratic—appearing and vanishing in a continuous rhythm. Refocusing on a spot where I anticipated the bird's trajectory, I patiently waited. I could hear the subdued voices of the tracker and guide as they returned from their brief scouting venture along the trail, tinged with excitement. The black rhino lay just beyond a small hill, concealed by dense thorny bushes. They were deliberating the best approach to secure a prime vantage point for us to observe this incredibly rare creature. As their conversation ceased, a small head bobbed up in the grass precisely where my lens was directed. It was a korhaan, one of the charming peculiarities of the bush. Though not typically sought after by those in search of the big five, for me, they embody a quirky and genuinely fascinating aspect of the wilderness. My finger pressed the shutter button swiftly, and in the nick of time, the korhaan's head dipped, vanishing once again into the expansive savannah grassland.
Korhaan Quick Facts
Located in the expansive landscapes of Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, the Red-crested Korhaan provides a captivating avian spectacle. With an intricate courtship ritual, the male orchestrates a display of soaring into the sky before gracefully descending to woo potential mates. Nestled on the ground, sheltered by the natural colours of grass and bushes, the bird's nests hold a delicate pair of eggs painted with olive-brown to pink-beige hues and intricate dark brown spots.
Measuring up to 50 cm (1.6 ft) and weighing a maximum of 680 g (1.5 lb), the Red-crested Korhaan dons a stunning plumage. Its wings, neatly folded on the back, boast V-shaped patterns in a light cream hue with striking white accents along the sides. A bold contrast unfolds on the breast, adorned with striking black feathers, while the legs reflect a delicate pale yellow, harmonising seamlessly with the understated grey of its feet.
POPULATION STATUS: Not a concern.
Feathered Friends Collection
Welcome to our feathered friends, with their flights of fancy, twitchers' delight, and the lightest touch.
Ever-present in our lives, birds fill the skies, settle in tree branches, and thrive on the ground. Their movements fill us with delight and awe; their silence is broken by delightful songs or anxious craws. This collection celebrates these moments in time with our feathered friends.
