Saddlebill

Description

This is an unmistakable animal thanks to its large and colourful red beak, which has a black band across it, and with its yellow wattle at the front, that is shaped like a saddle. The plumage is black with iridescent greens and blues on the head, the neck, and the tops of the wings and tail; the rest of the feathers are white. The sexes are easily distinguished by the yellow colour of the female’s iris, which in the male is dark brown. 

Ethology

They build their nests in trees, forming large platforms with a diameter of approximately 2 m, made from branches, reeds, rushes and soil. The females will lay 1-5 eggs, although they normally lay 2-3. Incubation lasts for 30-35 days and is performed by both parents. 

Interesting facts

To avoid excessive heat, this stork pants energetically and ruffles its feathers heated by the sun to separate them from its body. The adults fill their beaks with water to cool down the eggs or hatchlings. Their population levels are more or less stable, but not very high. They are threatened by destruction and degradation of the wetlands where they live.