The Saddle-billed stork stands out as one of the most visually striking and tallest storks, with adults reaching heights of up to 150 cm (59 inches). Its name derives from the saddle-shaped shield on its bill, which makes it easily identifiable, along with the bright red, black, and yellow coloration of the bill. The contrasting black and white plumage adds to its striking appearance, and the long legs and neck emphasize its stature among stork species.
These storks are widely distributed across sub-Saharan Africa, where they frequent a variety of wetland habitats. From the dense swamps and marshes to the edges of rivers, floodplains, and estuaries, the Saddle-billed Stork is well-adapted to both freshwater and saltwater environments. Despite their broad range, they are typically found at low densities and are considered an uncommon sight.
The Saddle-billed stork has a diet that is as varied as its habitat. While fish constitute a significant portion of their diet, they are also known to prey on crustaceans, amphibians, small reptiles, and even small mammals and birds when available. Their hunting technique is patient and precise; they use their long bill to capture and subdue their prey in the shallow waters of their habitat.
These storks are solitary nesters, and unlike many other stork species, they do not form colonies. Their nesting preference is to build large, robust nests atop tall trees, often near water but not within the dense canopies. The nest construction is a joint effort between mates and can be used repeatedly over the years. Saddle-billed Storks are known to form long-term monogamous pair bonds, often lasting for life, and both parents are involved in the incubation and rearing of the young.
One interesting aspect of the Saddle-billed stork is that adults are typically silent, as they lack the typical voice box or syrinx that produces calls. Instead, they communicate through bill-clattering and body language, particularly during courtship and when defending their nesting territory.
Distribution
Angola
Benin
Botswana
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cameroon
Central Af. Rep.
Chad
Congo-Brazzaville
Côte D’ivoire
DR Congo (Kinshasa)
Djibouti
Eritrea
Eswatini
Ethiopia
Gabon
Gambia
Ghana
Guinea-Bissau
Kenya
Malawi
Mali
Mauritania
Mozambique
Namibia
Niger
Nigeria
Rwanda
Senegal
Somalia
South Africa
South Sudan
Sudan
Tanzania
Togo
Uganda
Zambia
ZimbabweAnything we've missed?
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Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
