Scientific Name:
Platalea alba
Distribution
Senegal to Ethiopia, down to SE Africa and Madagascar.
Diet:
Carnivore. Small fish, aquatic invertebrates, frogs.
Facts
Habitat: Lakes, marshes and other shallow waters.
Incubation: 25-29 days / 2-3 eggs
Social structure: 1-30 birds, during breeding period 5 -250 pairs.
Weight: 1790gr
Dimensions: 91cm
Lifespan: 17 max under human care
Estimated population in the wild: 7,300-73,000
Threats: drainage of wetlands, destruction of breeding colonies.
IUCN Status: Least concern
Did you know that:
Their unique "spoon shaped" beak is used to locate prey in water with low visibility. They open their bill in the water and sweep it back and forth, snapping at any prey that comes into contact with.