Yellow-billed Stork
Mycteria ibis
The Yellow-billed Stork (Mycteria ibis) is a uncommon stork found in 49 countries, weighing about 2.2 kg. The yellow-billed stork is a large African stork species in the family Ciconiidae.
About the Yellow-billed Stork
The yellow-billed stork is a large African stork species in the family Ciconiidae. It is widespread south of the Sahara and also occurs in Madagascar.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
This medium-sized stork stands 90–105 cm (35–41 in) tall. Its body is white with a short black tail that is glossed green and purple when freshly moulted. The bill is deep yellow, slightly decurved at the end and with a rounder cross-section than in other stork species outside the Mycteria. Feathers extend onto the head and neck just behind the eyes, with the face and forehead being covered by deep red skin. Both sexes are similar in appearance, but the male is larger and has a slightly longer heavier bill. Males and females weigh approximately 2.3 kg (5.1 lb) and 1.9 kg (4.2 lb) respectively.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Spain, Germany, Türkiye, Austria, Portugal, Lesotho, Mali, Sierra Leone, Belgium.
When to see it
The Yellow-billed Stork can be seen all year round, with peak activity in November. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Yellow-billed Stork?
- This medium-sized stork stands 90–105 cm (35–41 in) tall. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Yellow-billed Stork?
- The Yellow-billed Stork is a huge sized bird weighing about 2.2 kg.
- Where can you see a Yellow-billed Stork?
- The Yellow-billed Stork occurs in 49 countries, including South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana and Uganda.
- What birds look similar to a Yellow-billed Stork?
- The Yellow-billed Stork is most easily confused with the Milky Stork, the Painted Stork and the Wood Stork.
- Is the Yellow-billed Stork endangered?
- The Yellow-billed Stork is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Yellow-billed Stork for real
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