Yellow billed stork

Introduction: Yellow-billed storks (Mycteria ibis) inhabit freshwater lakes, rivers, dams, floodplains and marshes, pans, small pools and streams, estuaries and flooded grassland. Usually seen in pairs (rarely singly) or in groups which can reach 50 in number.

Distribution: Mainly central and north-central Namibia including Etosha National Park, Epupa Falls, Caprivi Strip, Kaudom Game Park, Hardap Dam and Naute Recreation Resort.

Diet: Forages in clear shallow water often in the stirrings of the Nile crocodile or hippopotamus for mainly fish, frogs, aquatic insects, crustaceans, worms and occasionally a few small mammals.

Description: Medium-sized stork with characteristic down-curved bill tip used especially for feeding in muddy waters. Mainly white plumage with black flight feathers. Mycteria is Greek for 'nose' or 'snout'.

Breeding: A shallow cup is built on a stick platform and lined with grass, reeds, leaves and aquatic grasses. Females lay between 2 and 4 eggs in August to September, incubated for around 30 days.

Size: 95cm.

Weight: 2kg.

Wingspan: 1.65m.