More than 450 bird species live in the Kafue Flats, some all year round and some just passing through.
"Kafue Flats lies along a major migration route," explains Mr. Nalumino of WWF-Zambia. "Birds migrating from the Arctic to Southern Africa come here, along with birds that migrate with the seasons across Africa."
White and Pink-backed pelicans, Open-bill storks, Goliath herons and Spur-winged geese can all be seen here - alongside what is thought to be Africa’s largest population of the highly endangered Wattled crane.
These tall graceful birds are highly reliant on wetlands for breeding and are easily disturbed. Sadly, with fewer than 10,000 left in the world, the Wattled crane is also Africa’s rarest crane.
Size:
Like most cranes, the Wattled crane is a large bird standing approximately 1.3 metres tall.
Colour
Grey body, white neck and red face with red 'warts' and wattles.
Habitat
In areas covered by shallow water like flood-plains - in fact the Wattled crane is the most water dependent kind of crane of them all.
Diet
Grasses, weeds, insects, fish, amphibians.
Breeding
Once a year the female lays two eggs but generally only one survives. Unusually, Wattled cranes build up to 4 nests, using one nest one year and another nest, the following year. No one knows why.
Behaviour
Yes. Although they are usually rather quiet, sometimes they make high-pitched screeches.
Interesting?
Why do Wattled cranes have wattles? No one knows but people have observed that the wattles become bigger when the bird becomes aggressive - and smaller when it's afraid. The wattles also become a brighter shade of red in the mating season.
