He has a human look, a beak as the palm and the habit of staying as a stone statue.
The bird (or kitoglav) is one of the most unusual birds in the world-and yes, it really exists.
He does not live in legends, but in tropical marshes in eastern Africa, writes the T4 publication.
Kitoglav (Balaeniceps Rex) is a rare poultry, which can be found in Uganda, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Rwanda and Zambia. Its appearance does not resemble any other birds: massive body up to 1.5 meters high, long and thin legs, gray and dense, and a huge beak – which can reach 24 cm long. It was precisely for this reason that it was scientifically called the “King of the Whale Cape”.
His beak, one of the largest in the bird’s world, has a curved tip and is the main weapon during the hunt. Kitoglav is a predator. It feeds on pulmonary fish, sleeping pans, frogs, snakes, turtles, sometimes even summer and small crocodiles.
His way of hunting is special: it can remain still for hours on the edge of a marsh, until the prey appears. Then he attacks lightning, hitting the beak. For this reason, he is considered one of the most efficient predators between birds.
Interestingly, although they are generally silent, during the Kitoglavi mating period, they emit a special sound by hitting the beak – which resembles an automatic weapon gust. This sound has the role of bridal appeal.
They rarely multiply – usually lay 2-3 eggs, but only one chicken reaches maturity. The older chicks can kill the youngest, and parents do not intervene.
Another little known aspect is the thermoregulation through the feet: Kitoglavs cover their limbs with excrement to cool their body during excessive heat.
Kitoglav can live up to 35 years and has a wingspan of up to 2.6 meters. Less than 5,000 copies remained in the wild. Due to the destruction of wetlands, pollution and illegal trade, the species is in danger of disappearance.
However, there are good news: in Zambia, local communities collaborate with national parks and organizations to save the species. Due to these efforts, poaching has decreased, and kitoglavs gradually return to their native marshes.
