Bio Facts: Stork, Saddle-billed
Click for larger version
Common Name:
Saddle-billed stork
Scientific Name:
Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis
Family:
Ciconiidae
Order:
Ciconiiformes
Class:
Aves
Range:
Africa from Senegal to Ethiopia and down to South Africa.
Habitat:
They come from tropical areas of Africa and are found in a range of habitats including marches, rivers, lakes and areas of wet grasslands. They prefer wide, open spaces and avoid forested areas. Their habitat is very vulnerable to pollution and the increasing use of pesticides. The wetlands are also being converted to farm land.
Description:
The Saddle billed stork is 145-150cm long or tall and 6kg in weight. They have a wing-span of up to 270cm. The males are much larger than the females but both have a bare red patch of their breast. Juveniles are a dull grey color and grow gradually brighter with age. Although this species is not globally threatened in the wild and are quite widespread they are no longer a common species.
Sexual Maturity:
They become sexually mature at about 3 years but do not necessarily breed every year.
Diet:
This bird walks along stabbing its’ bill into the water to catch fish, crabs, frogs, small mammals and some mollusks and insects.
Behaviors:
These birds are extremely territorial during breeding and will charge anything
Jacksonville Zoo History:
We are the 6th institution to breed saddle billed storks in the world
Last Revised:
2001
