The Saddle-billed storks are one of the largest and most beautiful Stork species found throughout Tropical Africa, in the south of the Sahara. These birds are mostly found in near water sources or wetlands. Scientifically known as “Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis”, these birds belong to the Stork family.
The Saddle-billed storks are closely related to the common Black-necked Storks found in Australia as well as Asia and these two are the only members in their genus Ephippiorhynchus.
Physical characteristics
They are generally large with average weight of a male bird being 5.1-7.5 kilograms while their height ranges from 145 centimeters to 150 centimeters. Saddle-billed storks are also over 142 centimeters long and their wings extend for 2.4-2.7 meters. The males are bigger and heavier than their female counterparts that weigh between 5 and 6.8 kilograms. These birds are incredibly plumaged with both sexes being almost identical when roosting yet females display more white in the primaries during flight.
Their tails, head, wings, backs and necks are sparkling black while the rest of their bodies as well as the primary flight feathers are white. Juveniles however have different colors as they are browner-grey in plumage. Surprisingly, their outstanding colors vary according to sex with the females possessing golden yellow irises while males have dark brown irises as well as yellow hanging wattles hence making them the only storks that exhibit sexual dimorphism in terms of color.
Their long bills are generally red with black stripe as well as yellow frontal saddle while their legs and feet are predominately black with pink gambrels. There is also a bare red part of skin on their chests but this color usually darkens when they are breeding.
Natural habitats and Where to see the Saddle-billed storks
The exceptional saddle-billed storks generally prefer occupying Protected Areas (Protected wetlands, National Parks and Wildlife Reserves) with large quantities of open water to areas without.
These birds are widespread within sub-Saharan Africa extending from Sudan, Uganda, Ethiopia, and South of Kenya to Southern Africa where they are considered endangered. For western Africa, they can be found in Cote d’Ivoire, Chad, Gambia and Senegal. For Uganda, these stunning bird species can be spotted during boat cruises, game drives and even birding tours within the Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park as well as in Murchison falls National Park.
Breeding and Incubation
The Saddle-billed storks always breed around marshlands, forested wetlands, highlands as well as flood lands within the lush Tropical lowland areas. When it is time for breeding, they make large nests with deep stick nests in the trees. These large stocks lay between one and five eggs weighing approximately 145 grams each. Unlike other birds that form breeding colonies, the saddle-billed storks don’t and are normally found alone or in pairs.
These storks incubate for 30-35 days then chicks are fed and cared for by both parents for another 70-100 days before they can finally develop wing feathers for flight. Saddle-billed storks are generally silent bird species but begin making squealing wheezes during breeding time. Their lifespan will shock you. Can you believe that a healthy saddle-billed stork can live up to 30 years.
Diet and Feeding
Just like their other stork relatives, the diet of the saddle-billed storks primarily comprises of frogs, fish, crabs, insects, snakes, bird eggs and other smaller birds. They have long legs that make they wade through fairly deep water when searching for food and like the herons, they also move in an elegant and planned manner while hunting.
Connecting with Ancient Egyptian culture
Storks have a special connection with Ancient Egyptian Culture where they are believed to represent their souls. If you are a fun of folklore, you will be amazed by the Greece connection between storks and babies.
