ANIMAL: Yellow-Billed Stork Mycteria ibis Type of Animal: Stork Habitat: Wetlands, lakes/lake margins, mudflats, lagoons, aquatic/wetland meadows, swamps, reservoirs, rivers/river margins, waterholes, sandbanks, rice paddies, estuaries, riverbanks, rice fields, savanna woodland Location(s): Sub-Saharan Africa, parts of N Africa (N of Sahara), & Madagascar Appearance: Tall large bird w/ yellow bill, red face, white feathers/black flight feathers, legs turn from brownish to pink in breeding season w/ pinkish plumage on upperwings/back, juveniles grayish-brown w/ blackish-brown in lower feathers & dull partially bare orange face as well as dull yellowish bill, brown legs/feet, juveniles have black flight feathers just like adults Food/Diet: Fish, insects, crustaceans, worms, frogs, small mammals, birds, carrion Status in Wild: Stable Conservation: Breeding in zoos & wildlife centers Lifestyle: Colonies/flocks range from 10-100 birds. Additional Info: Called: Male: Cock Female: Hen Young: Chick Group: Flock/Colony Weight: Male: 5.1-5.2 lbs Female: 4.2 lbs Young: 2 lbs Gestation: 1 month Life Span: 15-20 years Height: Male: 3.3 ft Female: 2.83 ft Young: 1.3 ft Body Length: Male: 3.3 ft Female: 2.83 ft Young: 1.3 ft Tail Length: 0.4 in, same for both sexes Main predators of adults are crocodiles, eagles, lions, hyenas, wild dogs, leopards, cheetahs, & large snakes. Hawks prey on chicks. Wingspan of 4.92-5.42 ft, w/ males having slightly longer wingspan. Chicks leave nest as early as 9-11 weeks though may stay in vicinity of colony for longer. Maturity reached around 2 years old. Generally non-vocal, but will utter hissing falsetto screams during breeding season. Also engage in bill clattering. Nestlings bray when begging parents for food. Primarily utilize touch to detect/capture prey. Also use foot stirring technique to sound out evasive prey by prodding/churning up water bottom, forcing prey out of hiding area into the bill. Breeds when rainfall/local flooding is most optimal. Females lay 2-4 eggs per clutch (usually asynchronously). Larger chicks often outcompete smaller chicks. Often nests near other bird species. Nests usually 2.58-3.25 ft in diameter & 7.9-11.8 in thick. Males select nest sites for breeding season & display to females. These birds will migrate when food scarce. Some populations sedentary. Fun Fact(s): Sometimes called wood storks and/or wood ibises. These storks tend to be rather comfortable around humans. Sometimes follow hippos & crocodiles to churn up nearby prey. These birds appear on postage stamps in several African countries. These birds are rather intelligent. Quick muscular reflex in neck allows storks to catch food in water.
