Kruger's Big 6 Birds: A Birder's Dream

The other day I did a post about all the 5's: the big 5, the shy 5, the ugly fine and so on
But did you know Kruger National Park also had a big 6? The big 6 is for birders, as there are only birds in the list. Not just any birds, but big birds
The birds that made the list are: martial eagle, lappet-faced vulture, kori bustard, saddle-billed stork, Pel's fishing owl and the Southern ground hornbill.

These 6 birds are all found in Kruger, but not all that easy to spot. I have seen them all, except for the owl. From what I read online that is always the most difficult one to get ticked of the list. The other 5 aren't that hard to find in the reserve, but the owl is definitely a challenge. Except for the vulture the other 4 birds on the list I have spotted many times and definitely during every visit to Kruger.

I often wonder who makes these lists and what qualifies for an animal to make the list. Take this list for example, there are some huge birds on it, but there are also ostriches in the reserve and they are definitely larger than any of the birds on the list.

As I was writing I was also wondering more and more and I found out that the birders big 6 are the most wanted birds! These 6 birds are the 6 big birds that most people really really want to see. Or atleast the majority of the people. I myself would make another big 6 bird list and on my list would definitely be flamingo (I am actually not sure if you can see those in Kruger), ostrich and secretary birds.

I am actually surprised that last one didn't make the cut as it is such a cool bird

Anyway I am running low on things to write and I figured why not about the big 6?

Due to my medical state we aren't really going on game drives at the moment so I have to be creative with what I have. Atleast I have 13 years of photos, so I should be alright 😉

I would make a different big 6, but here are some photos of the big 6 birds in Kruger except for the owl of course

The other day, I wrote about all the famous "5’s" in wildlife the Big 5, the Shy 5, the Ugly 5, and so on. But did you know that Kruger National Park also has a Big 6? Unlike the Big 5, which focuses on large mammals, the Big 6 is all about birds and not just any birds, but the biggest, most impressive, and most sought-after avian species in the park.

Meet the Big 6 Birds of Kruger

The birds that made the list are:

1. Martial Eagle – Africa’s largest eagle, a powerful predator.
2. Lappet-faced Vulture – The biggest vulture in Kruger, with a commanding presence.
3. Kori Bustard – One of the heaviest flying birds in the world.
4. Saddle-billed Stork – A striking, colorful stork with a distinctive yellow "saddle" on its bill.
5. Pel’s Fishing Owl – The rarest and most elusive of the bunch.
6. Southern Ground Hornbill – A massive, charismatic bird that walks rather than hops.

The Challenge of Spotting Them All

I’ve been lucky enough to see five of the six—all except the Pel’s Fishing Owl. From what I’ve read, this owl is the toughest to find, hiding deep in riverine forests and only coming out at night. The other five aren’t exactly easy, but with patience, you can spot them on most trips.

• Martial Eagles are often seen perched high in trees.
• Lappet-faced Vultures dominate carcasses, bullying smaller vultures.
• Kori Bustards strut through open grasslands.
• Saddle-billed Storks wade in shallow waters.
• Southern Ground Hornbills move in small groups, their deep calls echoing through the bush.

But that owl? It’s a holy grail for birders.

Who Decides the Big 6?

I’ve always wondered who makes these lists? And why these birds? Take ostriches, for example they’re much bigger than any bird on this list, yet they didn’t make the cut. After some digging, I realized the Big 6 isn’t just about size it’s about rarity, beauty, and how badly birders want to see them. These are the most coveted birds in Kruger.

My Personal Big 6 Wishlist

If I were to make my own Big 6, I’d include:

1. Flamingo (Do they even occur in Kruger? I’m not sure!)
2. Ostrich – The world’s largest bird deserves a spot!
3. Secretary Bird – How did this snake-stomping raptor not make the official list?
4. African Fish Eagle – That iconic call is pure wilderness.
5. Lilac-breasted Roller – Not big, but too stunning to ignore.
6. Bateleur Eagle – A striking, colorful eagle that’s always a thrill to see.

Creativity in Quiet Times

Due to my current medical situation, I’m not going on game drives right now. But with 13 years’ worth of photos, I’ve got plenty to share! So, while I may not be out in the bush, I can still relive the magic through my archives.

The Big 6 is a fun challenge for birders, but everyone’s list is different. What would your personal Big 6 include? Have you been lucky enough to spot the Pel’s Fishing Owl? Let me know in the comments!

And since I don’t have a photo of the elusive owl, here are some shots of the other five—enjoy!

(Insert photos of Martial Eagle, Lappet-faced Vulture, Kori Bustard, Saddle-billed Stork, and Southern Ground Hornbill here.)

Until next time, happy birding! 🦅✨