Open-billed Stork (African Openbill)
Anastomus lamelligerus
Anastomus lamelligerus
|
Open-billed Stork (African Openbill) Anastomus lamelligerus |
|
|||||
| Home | Alphabetical | Maps | Taxonomic | Links/Resources | |||
     
   |
The African openbill is a small black stork with an ivory-colored bill with which it forages mainly for snails and mussels; the curved pincer-like bill tips facilitate extraction of the mollusks from their shells. The open part of the bill has serrated edges with which the stork may hold or crush its prey, see #18 in the slideshow. The 7th row photo is courtesy of Stuart Webb. The panoramas were taken in Silale swamp; the others, in Katavi. Click the lower photo to see 24 enlargements. |
 |
_______________________________________________________ |