Yellow-billed stork

Description

This bird is generally white and black, similar to the white stork, although the adults have certain pinkish tones on the back. They have a large bare area on the face that has an intense red colour and a very large beak, which is yellow and slightly curved at the tip. The younger animals’ colours are less bright. 

Ethology

The mating season begins towards the end of the rainy season, or when the dry season starts, when there is more food available. They build a nest with sticks on small trees on top of the water or in the tops of larger trees. They nest in colonies with other species, with a maximum of 10-20 pairs per tree. The female lays 2-3 eggs. Incubation will last 30 days and is performed by both parents. 

Interesting facts

This bird is very common in Africa. When hunting, it waits patiently with its beak in the water until it comes into contact with its prey, at which point it performs a rapid snap-reflex, bringing its head up and back to swallow its prey. During the night, they form roosts around marshes, for example on sand banks or in the trees. These shelters are often shared with other species.