The Roberts notes on nest building state that it is a conspicuous large flattish structure built of sticks and earth lined with reeds or grass built and refurbished by both sexes. The cup is lined thickly enough to completely conceal a sitting bird. The nest is usually placed on top of a tree in full sunlight. It may be in a low tree surrounded by swamp, up to 500 m from water, and 20 - 30 m above ground. Occasionally old nests of other species including Tawny Eagle, Wahlberg's Eagle and Secretarybird are used. In this case they have built on top of a long standing Red-billed Buffalo-Weaver nest, one of several of these nests found on the pylons in this area. The Saddle-billed Stork pair usually use the same nest or nest tree for successive breeding attempts, so it is going to be interesting to see if they use this site again next season
The nest building on top of a power-line pylon commenced back in March. Now in early July we have a juvenile chick that is well on its way. There does not seem to be a previous record of this species having built a nest in such a location and it has attracted widespread interest in the birding community The large nest structure placed on top of an electricity pylon. The Roberts notes on nest building state that it is a conspicuous large flattish structure built of sticks and earth lined with reeds or grass built and refurbished by both sexes. The cup is lined thickly enough to completely conceal a sitting bird. The nest is usually placed on top of a tree in full sunlight. It may be in a low tree surrounded by swamp, up to 500 m from water, and 20 - 30 m above ground. Occasionally old nests of other species including Tawny Eagle, Wahlberg's Eagle and Secretarybird are used. In this case they have built on top of a long standing Red-billed Buffalo-Weaver nest, one of several of these nests found on the pylons in this area. The Saddle-billed Stork pair usually use the same nest or nest tree for successive breeding attempts, so it is going to be interesting to see if they use this site again next season The male arrives back at the nest while the female and juvenile look on The male (red eye) and female (yellow eye) in attendance The male guarding the chick whilst the female is away form the nest The female is back at the nest and the chick begs for food. Food was regurgitated into the nest and quickly picked up. Here the chick is in the process of swallowing the large food item The chick flexes its wings in preparation for its upcoming maiden flight. Here is hoping when this happens it manages to avoid the power lines in the vicinity of the nest The female and chick give me the once over
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