African openbill

The African openbill (Anastomus lamelligerus) is a type of stork in the family Ciconiidae. It is native to large parts of sub-Saharan Africa.

African openbill
On the bank of the Zambezi, Zimbabwe
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Order:	Ciconiiformes
Family:	Ciconiidae
Genus:	Anastomus
Species:	A. lamelligerus
Binomial name
Anastomus lamelligerus Temminck, 1823

Distribution

The African openbill grows as long as 80–94 cm. It weighs about 1–1.3 kg. Its adult feathers is generally dark, with glossy green, brown, and purple on the mantle and breast. The bill is brownish and large. The legs are black and the eye is grey. The juvenile feathers are more dull and brown, with areas of pale feather tips.

African Openbill Media

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  African openbill in flight

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  Iridescent feathers of the African openbill

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  An adult African openbill foraging for snails in the water

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  Wakkerstroom, Mpumalanga, SOUTH AFRICA

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  African openbill in a spread wing sunning posture

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  An African openbill in its nest

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  African openbill, Anastomus lamelligerus, at Kruger National Park, South Africa

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  Vull am Krügerpark

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  African openbill holding a snail with the tip of its bill