Description

The Abdim's stork, (Ciconia abdimii) also known as white-bellied stork, is a black stork with grey legs, red knees and feet, grey bill and white underparts. It has red facial skin in front of eye and blue skin near the bill in breeding season. It is the smallest species of stork, at 73 cm (29 in) and a weight of just over 1 kg (2.2 lbs). The female lays two to three eggs and is slightly smaller than the male. The Abdim's stork is distributed to open habitats throughout Eastern Africa, from Ethiopia south to South Africa.

Its diet consists mainly of locusts, caterpillars and other large insects, although the birds will also eat small reptiles, amphibians, mice, crabs and eggs. Among the smallest storks, this species is welcomed and protected by local African belief as a harbinger of rain and good luck.

Fun Facts