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Endangered - Saddle-billed Stork (Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis)

Saddlebill, African Jabiru, Saalbekooievaar, African Jabiru

 

Saddle-billed Storks are classified as Endangered in South Africa. They breed slowly and are dependent on extensive wetland habitats, which are under increasing pressure from humans. The flow regimes of rivers passing through the Kruger National Park are expected to change in response to catchment developments outside the Park, and this, together with the removal of artificial water impoundments within the Park, may have a negative impact on this species. In South Africa, Saddle-billed Storks are largely confined to the north-eastern tropical lowland with the majority of the population residing along the riverine habitat in the Kruger National Park. They normally occur in pairs, are strongly territorial and remain in the same area for years. In 1993, there were only 60 recorded birds found in Kruger National Park.

They are one of the 'Big Six' birds of South Africa.

Identification

One of the first indicators to take note of when trying to identify a bird is it relative size. For example how big is the bird compared to a well known familiar bird. The Saddle-billed Stork is a very large bird much much bigger than a Pied Crow. The height of the Saddle-billed Stork is about 150 cms and its weight is about 7000 gms. The male and female Saddle-billed Stork have the same plumage and colours. Males have a dark eye with two small yellow wattles at the base of the bill, while females have a yellow eye. Head is black, purple, Bill is black, Throat is black, purple, Legs are black. This bird has normally proportioned leg length.

 

Diet

Saddle-billed Stork food consists mainly of fish up to half a kilogram in size. They also take frogs, molluscs, small mammals, birds and crustaceans. They forage in shallow water by walking slowly and jabbing at the prey with their bills. They also stir up the mud with their feet to find molluscs and crustaceans. They shear the spines off larger fish before swallowing them.

 

Breeding

The Saddle-billed Stork is monogamous unless its mate dies. In the event of a partner dying Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis will seek out a new mate. The nesting habit of Saddle-billed Stork is to create the nest in branches of a tree or shrub. The bird lays eggs which are white in colour and number between 2 to 4

Habitat

The preferred habitats for Saddle-billed Stork are: wetlands and riverine areas . The Saddle-billed Stork is at home in wetland and bushveld areas. You can expect to see Saddle-billed Stork in flocks, or pairs or as single birds.

SADDLE-BILLED STORK PHOTOGRAPHIC SURVEY

Join the Endangered Wildlife Trust and SANParks in a photographic survey of Saddle-billed Storks in the Kruger National Park. The survey starts on 1 September 2009 and will run for a full calendar year.

This survey forms part of a research project that will be conducted over the next three years on the population status of Saddle-billed Storks, one of Kruger’s rarities, and one of the “Big Six” birds. “Census operations on any species within the boundaries of the Kruger National Park are important to help us get an idea of that species’ status within the context of biodiversity management,” says Marcelle van Hoven, the project’s coordinator. “The last Saddlebilled Stork survey conducted in 1993 suggested that there were less than 60 of these birds left in the Park.”

Saddle-billed Storks (Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis) are distinctly identifiable by their large size (they stand about 150 cm tall), sharply contrasting black and white plumage and yellow lappet (saddle-like structure) on the bill. The males have a dark eye with two small yellow wattles at the base of the bill, while females have a yellow eye. These birds can also be individually recognised by the details of the front edge of the black band across the red bill. Side-on photographs of all the birds, from both the left and right angles, will be used in identification during the survey.

Saddle-billed Storks are classified as Endangered in South Africa. They breed slowly and are dependant on extensive wetland habitats, which are under increasing pressure from humans. The flow regimes of rivers passing through the Kruger National Park are expected to change in response to catchment developments outside the Park, and this, together with the removal of artificial water impoundments within the Park, may have a negative impact on this species. In South Africa, Saddle-billed Storks are largely confined to the north-eastern tropical lowland with the majority of the population residing along the riverine habitat in the Kruger National Park. They normally occur in pairs, are strongly territorial and remain in the same area for years.

Visitors who spot a Saddle-billed Stork are asked to take a clear photograph of both sides of the bird’s face and bill and to record information about the sighting including the date, time, location, name of nearby water source, bird’s gender, juveniles present and any other notes that might be relevant.

A Saddle-billed Stork census weekend is also planned in the Kruger National Park for later this year, where photographers with the powerful lenses can contribute to this project.

Please keep a special eye out for Saddle-bills and send all sighting details and photographs to storks@ewt.org.za.

This project is sponsored by Tinga Private Game Lodge and Custom African Tours & Safaris.

 

Contact:

Marcelle van den Hoven ( Project Coordinator) Tel: 083 708 1994 ( Email: storks@ewt.org.za )
André Botha ( Manager, Birds of Prey Working Group) Tel: 082-962-5725 (Email: andreb@ewt.org.za )
EWT media office: Tel: +27 (0)11 486 1102 ( media@ewt.org.za) (www.ewt.org.za)

SPECIAL THANKS TO:

http://naomiestment.wordpress.com/

www.ovandp.co.za

http://daveestment.wordpress.com/

PROFESSIONAL DIGITAL IMAGING by Dave

https://www.ewt.org.za

© DAVE ESTMENT, 2009
Dave supplied this sequence to Birdlife South Africa, an organization which “Gives Conservation Wings”. It is printed across the contents pages of their beautiful book, “A Feathership of Partners”, which was conceptualised and created by Malcolm Drummond. If you love birds, please visit their site (www.birdlife.org.za) to see how you can help.
http://naomiestment.wordpress.com/2009/09/04/in-celebration-of-birds/