Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis

(Shaw, 1800)

Vernacular names
English : Saddlebill stork
French : Jabiru d’Afrique

Classification
Class : Aves
Order : Pelecaniformes
Family : Ciconiidae
Notes : No subspecies known

Identification
Adults can reach a body size of 1.50 m for a wingspan of 2.70 m and a weight of 6 kg. Unmistakable with its long bright red and black bill with yellow part on upper mandible. Plumage is black and white. Legs are black with red joints.

Range and habitat
The species is found in subsaharan Africa, from Senegal to Eritrea and Ethiopia, south to north-east South Africa. Lives in savannas, always near swamps, marshes, flooded grasslands and rivers.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species is globally uncommon as breeding pairs have huge territories. Locally declining because of habitat loss and pollution by use of pesticides.
Ex-Situ Programs : SSP in America, ESB in Europe

Observation
Dallas Zoo (USA), Jurong Bird Park (Singapore), Kölner Zoo (Germany), Weltvogelpark Walsrode (Germany)

 

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