For the first time since I have moved here we have had a pair of these amazing storks visit us together. They spent a couple of hours feeding, preening and resting up at one of our small dams. It was great to sit and observe their behaviour. Also having both the male and the female side by side I was easily able to compare their different features. This Uncommon species is Endangered in South Africa with an estimated population of l50 - 100 pairs mainly in the KNP. There were only 20 breeding pairs in the KNP In 1993 - Benn et al 1995. The pair of Saddle-billed Storks together in one frame with the male in the foreground The female with her pale yellow eye Note the pinkish-red tibiotarsal joints and the small patch of exposed skin in the middle of the breast. These are present in both sexes The male bird with its small pendant wattles (15 - 35mm) and brown eyes These birds drink frequently, especially after feeding The male carries out some feather preening Here the male feeds by walking in the shallows jabbing its bill into the water. Most foraging is probably tactile with the bill held slightly open as is happening here as the water is often dirty and prey invisible. Also note the "Urohidrosis" on the legs. By defecating on the scaly portions of their legs it acts as an evaporative cooling mechanism. This is quite common in stork species
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