Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis
The Saddle-billed Stork, Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis, is a truly magnificent and imposing waterbird, instantly recognizable by its vibrant and uniquely shaped bill. Standing at an impressive 145-150 cm (57-59 in) tall with a wingspan reaching 230-270 cm (91-106 in) and weighing 5-7 kg (11-15 lbs), it is one of the tallest storks in the world. Its plumage is a striking contrast of glossy black (head, neck, back, wings, tail) and pure white (belly, primaries). The most distinctive feature is ...
Found primarily in freshwater wetlands, floodplains, and large rivers across tropical sub-Saharan Africa. It prefers undisturbed areas with shallow water for foraging and tall trees for nesting, typically at low elevations.
Their diet consists mainly of fish, amphibians, reptiles (including snakes), large insects, and crustaceans. They forage by wading slowly and using their powerful bill to capture prey from shallow water.
Saddle-billed Storks are diurnal hunters, spending their days meticulously foraging and often roosting gregariously in tall trees or on elevated perches overnight. They employ a 'stalk-and-strike' foraging strategy, slowly wading through shallow waters and using their sensitive bill to tactilely ...
The Saddle-billed Stork has a wide but somewhat fragmented distribution across sub-Saharan Africa, generally avoiding the very arid regions and dense forests. Its breeding range extends from Senegal and Gambia in the west, eastward through the Sahelian belt to Ethiopia, and then south through Eas...
Least Concern
- The Saddle-billed Stork is the tallest stork in Africa, standing up to 1.5 meters (5 feet) tall. - Its scientific genus name, Ephippiorhynchus, translates to 'saddle-beak', referring to the prominent yellow frontal shield on its bill. - Unlike most storks which are quite vocal, the Saddle-bille...