diagnostics
110 cm, 4.9 kg. Sexes are alike. Well-known as South Africa's national bird. A large, stately terrestrial species, with long tertial feathers forming a ‘train' trailing behind the bird. Body plumage silvery bluish grey, becoming darker on upper neck, lower half of head and nape. Feathers of crown and forehead greyish white, while cheeks, ear coverts and nape dark ashy grey; these feathers raised or fluffed during threat displays. Primaries black or slate-grey. Tertials greatly elongated; blackish. Bill short, and flesh-coloured. Eye dark brown. Legs and feet dark grey to black. Chicks are light brown while juveniles are slightly lighter blue-grey than adults, and lack elongated tertials (Allan 2005).
