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STORKS

Of all the larger birds found in the Park, the storks are a definite favorite of visitors. The largest, and perhaps the most strikingly beautiful, is the Saddlebill (Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis). With its black and white body and red bill saddled with a band of black, it provides a display of regal splendor which draws admiration from those fortunate enough to chance upon this bird. Although fairly rare, saddlebills occur throughout the Park, along rivers and especially at pools of water in open veld. They are generally found singly or in groups of two or three, strutting around the shallows of pools, looking for any small creatures they can find to feed on. Females can be distinguished by their ring of yellow around each eye.

The White Stork (Ciconia ciconia) is common in summer and occurs in flocks throughout the area. Summer migrants, they return to Europe when the southern winter approaches. Large numbers are often seen walking slowly through open bush looking for food such as locusts and other insects.

Many other lesser-known and somewhat rarer storks are to be found, including the black stork, white-bellied stork, open-bill stork and woolly-necked stork.

An exception to the usual grace and beauty associated with these birds is the Marabou Stork (Leptoptilos crumeniferus). Widespread and commonly found in flocks, these birds have an unusually repulsive appearance. The head and neck tends to be very sparsely feathered, which together with the sickly colour of the bill gives the impression of the bird being very dirty and distinctly unattractive. Marabou storks tend to be scavengers, feeding on decomposing offal and carcasses. They also often wade in shallow streams searching for frogs, crabs and fish, or stalk about on land hunting for insects and small animals.

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