LEsser Stork

Lesser Adjutant Stork

Sri Lanka’s largest bird, the lesser adjutant stork, has a wingspan of 57-66 cm. Its almost naked head and neck, with scattered hair-like feathers, and long beak make it easily recognizable among other storks. Males have heavier bills, but sexes are otherwise alike. The bird often covers its legs with white excreta, obscuring their color. When resting, it pulls its head into its shoulders, and when alert, its neck extends to the length of its beak. Found in the dry zone, it lives mostly alone, frequenting jungle tanks and dry riverbeds. It feeds on fish, frogs, crabs, and small mammals.

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