Yellow-billed stork

Did you know that it captures its prey using the sense of touch?

The Yellow-billed stork is distributed throughout East Africa, although it can also be found in areas extending from Senegal and Somalia to South Africa and some regions of western Madagascar.

Both sexes are very similar, although the male is larger and its bill is somewhat larger and heavier than the female's.

This animal relies more on its sense of touch than sight when capturing prey. They walk slowly through the water using their long legs and use their bill as a probe to explore the water, keeping it submerged and partially open.

They form nesting colonies on the tops of tall trees, where they build large platforms of branches lined with soft vegetation. Each clutch consists of between 2 and 4 eggs, incubation lasts about a month and is carried out by both parents.

Its main threat is illegal hunting and the reduction of its habitat.

Conservation status

Extinct

Extinct in the wild

Critically endangered

Endangered

Vulnerable

Near threatened

Least concern

Insufficient data

Not evaluated