Now I bet you didn’t know that…. hell I didn’t…
What is an obligate cooperative breeder? Each breeding pair is always assisted by at least two other birds to raise the young. Experiments in captivity show that a breeding pair without at least 6 years of experience in assisting at the nest cannot raise their own young….
These birds live to about 30 years old so they have plenty of time to train as breeders before trying their own hand at it…
These are big birds but today only exist in Game reserves and National parks… they congregate in groups between 5 and 10 birds and need an area that has big trees to roost in and savannah grass lands to feed in. Their food is usually reptiles, frogs, snails, insects and mammals up to the size of hares.
The adult bird has a red bare skin on the throat and around the eye, a juvenile white or yellow..
These are big birds reaching weights of 6 kilograms and heights of 1.3 metres… this is a big heavy bird…
A few photos…
The Photographic Journey of bulldog. 
If my mommy had a face like that, I’d want a nanny or two around… 😉
Hahahahahaha
This is a new bird for me and they are obligated to help raise the kids….it takes a village so to speak. But they are ugly just like our Turkey Vultures here.
They could never be described as beautiful, that’s for sure… but another of those fascinating birds… Thank you…
Another new bird, love that they are “obligate cooperative breeders” – it takes a village!
Brenda
Thanks Brenda… yep it takes a village..
What a fascinating bird! It’s quite a curiosity. And I’ve never heard of cooperative breeding, I don’t think. Birds are such fascinatingly complex creatures!
Thanks Debra… their is just so much more to the birds we take for granted when one does a bit of research on them…
Fascinating fact this about being corporate breeders. Who knew? I sure didn’t…thanks Bulldog, love these snippets of bird information 😀
Thanks Sherri, glad you get something out of the blog, more than just my photos…
Nature never ceases to surprise in its variety of strategies birds use to raise young.
That is so true Alex… I followed the raising of Bateleur eagles for about 4 years and each year the young from the year before came back to aid the parents to raise the following bird and this happen each year… it was a fact I was un aware of and in those days was not documented… I thought I’d found an odd pair of birds, but now it is common knowledge that this happens…
It’s amazing how animals evolve in so many different ways and develop their own idiosyncrasies – just like humans really.
Yes Brian you are so right… many animals I sit and study, even some of the birds, show me they are no different from us in so many ways, or we are no different from them, not sure which…
Very fascinating bird, and great captures of course. 🙂
Thanks Inga
It takes a village, I guess? 😉
I think you’re coping well on your own, these birds don’t do so well… lol… hows the Vet by the way?? is your doggie developing all kinds of illnesses??
Haha…nope healthy as a horse. But she’s got another visit due at the end of the month. 😉
This is an amazing looking bird, Rob. I’ve never seen one before. Great shots (again!) 😀
Thanks Dianne…
You come up with the most unique and interesting specimens…Great photos.
Thanks Charlie…
I don’t agree these birds are ugly…they look incredibly wise to me! They have a certain character to their eyes you don’t see in a lot of other animals!
Very informative post.
Thank you, but I have to say they aren’t going to win any beauty contests… wise they are, and actually quite tenacious when collecting food…. seen a few puff adders that won no war with them… that beak is quite the weapon…
Rob you are an absolute mine of information – love your blogs and all the information you give us. Photos – well they go without saying. This bird is huge though eh! Kinda ugly (sorry!) but kinda cute in a weird sort of way too!
Kinda ugly???? Bloody ugly if you ask me…. but then one has to have these to balance nature… can you imagine if all men where as handsome as your husband is.??.. Life would be a tad boring…. and if all women were beautiful.??.. Oh life would be a dream… lol
Shall we assume the are more docile than they appear?
Pretty docile…
Great photos of this rather strange looking bird. They say that “beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” 🙂
AD I think one needs to be half blind to see any beauty in this beast…lol
Great post and info bulldog! Thank for sharing your insights about amazing creatures. I have to admit I’ve never heard of is one. I’m pleased I learned someone new today! 😀
Thanks Amanda… glad to impart a little knowledge…
Not the most attractive bird you have ever shared with us, but we can’t all be pretty, can we? Thanks for the interesting facts Bulldog, now get some rest! 🙂
Thanks LuAnn… yes this one is a tad ugly…
What amazing facts. So interesting…. some human parents need that too……!
Thanks Ute… I do agree some parents definitely need help…
Woah! They are big, heavy birds. Something like a turkey except better looking with a sharp bill. I love that expression! Ha-ha! Great photos of them too, Rob.
Do you think they look better than a turkey… hell I thought it the other way round…
Only exist in games parks and reserves? that’s terrible!
I’m afraid they are on the endangered list as all out side of protected areas have been killed or cannot exist…
Interesting creature to say the least.
Thanks Gina
These are not the best looking bird. Large & ugly turkey looking. I think they would look better basted than walking around.
Thanks Mate… but I sure as hell would not try and eat this bird, probably as tough as it is ugly…
Wonderful photos of a rather ugly bird. 🙂 Thanks for the lessons….as always, we enjoyed them!
Thanks Skye… actually it is as ugly as sin … but I had to show we do have some ugly birds as well….lol
They look similar to a turkey (face / neck).
Poor things – not very attractive – LOL
Thanks RoSy… ugly as sin actually and is often referred to as a turkey… although this turkey I would not eat…
Great photos, but I can’t exactly say he’s attractive.
Sort-of reminds me of a turkey in some ways (with that red chin and throat).
Thanks Vicki… actually the bird is as ugly as freaking sin… it is quite often called a turkey
Interesting factoid there 🙂
Thanks Teri…
I’m sorry to say this but I always tell you your birds are beautiful…and this time I can’t. The photography is good, as always, but the subject….
Thanks Anneli… had to show that we do have the ugly ones as well… My son loves these things and has even had one almost join him in the vehicle…
He must be a very good person to love the ugly ones too.
That he is…
I had no idea! Every time you teach me something new… 🙂
Glad to hear that thanks
It takes a whole village to raise a child! Love these obligate cooperative breeders! Do they fly?? Probably too big for that, eh?
Diana xo
No they do fly but are seen more walking about on the ground… roost in trees at night…
Wow, they seem to big to fly!
Le foto sono bellissime ma questo uccello però è alquanto bruttino 🙂
Un caro saluto, Pat
Thanks Pat… it is an ugly bird for sure…