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Saddlebilled Stork - Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis
This stork is huge, black and white in colour, with an enormous red-and-black bill with a yellow saddle. The saddlebilled stork stands about 145cm tall with a wingspan of up to 270cm. Females are about 10% smaller than the males. They are usually found alone or in pairs and enjoy floodplains and waterways. It is in this watery environment that they catch fish (up to 500 grams), frogs, small birds and crustaceans. Their breeding season is between January
and July, during which the female lays 2 - 3 eggs weighing about 146g
each. The incubation period is 30 - 35 days with the chicks staying in
the nest for about 70 - 100 days. The Saddlebilled Stork's status is rare
and it is listed on the Red Data List of Birds.
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