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Saddlebilled Stork - Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis
The Saddlebilled stork is a common
resident of the Chobe river. A large, strikingly coloured stork
unlikely to be confused with any other; distinctive both at rest
and in flight. Most frequent in the Chobe-Linyanti-Okavango region
of Botswana.
This stork is huge, black and white
in colour, with an enormous red-and-black bill with a yellow saddle.
The saddlebilled stork stands about 145cm tall with a wingspan of
up to 270cm. Females are about 10% smaller than the males. They
are usually found alone or in pairs and enjoy floodplains and waterways.
It is in this watery environment that they catch fish (up to 500
grams), frogs, small birds and crustaceans.
Their breeding season is between
January and July, during which the female lays 2 - 3 eggs weighing
about 146g each. The incubation period is 30 - 35 days with the
chicks staying in the nest for about 70 - 100 days. The Saddlebilled
Stork's status is rare and it is listed on the Red Data List of
Birds.
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