<< Previous Next >>

Saddle-billed stork


Saddle-billed stork
Photo Information
Copyright: Albert Herbigneaux (albert) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 421 W: 12 N: 670] (2971)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2010-10-21
Categories: Birds
Camera: Nikon D200 with MB-200, Nikon 80-400mm VR
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/500 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2010-11-12 4:37
Viewed: 4310
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 28
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
The Saddle-billed Stork (Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis) is a large wading bird in the stork family, Ciconiidae. It is a widespread species which is a resident breeder in sub-Saharan Africa from Sudan, Ethiopia and Kenya south to South Africa, and in The Gambia, Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire and Chad in west Africa.
The Saddle-billed Stork breeds in forested waterlands and other floodlands in tropical lowland. It builds a large, deep stick nest in a tree, laying one or two white eggs weighing about 146g each. It does not form breeding colonies, and is usually found alone or in pairs. The incubation period is 30-35 days, with another 70 - 100 days before the chicks fledge.
This is a huge bird that regularly attains a height of 150 cm (5 feet) and a 270cm (9 feet) wingspan. The male is larger and heavier than the female, with a range of 5.1-7.5 kg, the female is usually between 5 and 6.9 kg. It is probably the tallest, if not the heaviest, of the storks. Females are distinctly smaller than the males. It is spectacularly plumaged. The head, neck, back, wings, and tail are iridescent black, with the rest of the body and the primary flight feathers being white. The massive bill is red with a black band and a yellow frontal shield (the “saddle”). The legs and feet are black with pink knees. Sexes are identically plumaged except that the female has a golden yellow iris, while the male's is brown. Juveniles are browner grey in plumage.
They are silent except for bill-clattering at the nest. Like most storks, these fly with the neck outstretched, not retracted like a heron; in flight, the large heavy bill is kept drooping somewhat below belly height, giving these birds a very unusual appearance to those who see them for the first time (see here for photo). To experienced birdwatchers on the other hand, this makes them easily recognizable even if seen from a distance. It has been suggested that due to the large size and unusual appearance in flight, this species is the basis for the "Big Bird" and Kongamato cryptids.
The Saddle-billed Stork, like most of its relatives, feeds mainly on fish, frogs and crabs, but also on small birds and reptiles . They move in a deliberate and stately manner as they hunt, in a similar way to the larger herons.
(c) Wikipedia
fransswanepoel, Miss_Piggy, boreocypriensis, jhm, Pitoncle, anel, CeltickRanger has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes.
Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
Only registered TrekNature members may write critiques.
Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To Miss_Piggy: Saddle-billed storkalbert 1 11-13 03:52
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

Hallo Albert
It is great to see a post from you after such a long time. I like all your pictures, flowers, mammals, insects, birds and the other entire are so beautifully captured just as this "Saddlebilled Stork” which we were also fortunate to see and photograph a few times during our vacation. Your photograph is great indeed. Wonderful detail and clarity. Thanks for sharing. Best regards. Anna

Very well captured Albert. Pin sharp image of this beautifull Stork. Colors are spot-on with a good composition.
Well done and TFS.

Greetings
Frans.

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 6595 W: 89 N: 15659] (65489)
  • [2010-11-12 5:03]

Salut Albert,finalement tu reviens! Et quelle photo,on a attendais mais le resultat est fantastique.J'avais jamais vu cette espece,vraiment curieuse,et ta photo si detaillee' est surement la meilleure maniere pour le decouvrir.Super! Mes compliments et bonne journe',Luciano

  • Great 
  • nagraj Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1618 W: 106 N: 3208] (15166)
  • [2010-11-12 5:26]

Hi,
Fine image of this beautiful stork, I liked the way the grass stalks originating, lovely. tfs.
nagraj.v

great portrait, TFS Ori

Hi MF Albert, nice to see you after a relatively long break!
This is an excellent capture of a stork -which i have not seen before-, with superb sharpness. The soft green background consisting its natural habitat works well.
TFS and have a nice WE MF! Take care!
Cheers,

Bayram

Wauwh Albert
this is a super good picture with great sharpness and beautiful colours
greeting lou

  • Great 
  • jhm Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 893 W: 0 N: 507] (1853)
  • [2010-11-12 9:04]

Hello Albert,

Thank you very much for these excellent note, I learn every day.
What a lovely beak in different colors.
Sharpness and clarity are wonderful, lovely colors too.
Excellent composition nice picture. TFS.

Have a Nice weekend,
John.

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5137 W: 166 N: 13121] (49139)
  • [2010-11-12 10:06]

Hello Albert,
How nice to see a new photo from you.
Very good photo of this Saddle-billed Stork in beautiful contrsting colours and excellent sharpness. Taken from a good low POV and a pleasing composition and BG.
Have a nice weekend,
Peter

  •      
  • Pitoncle Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1173 W: 0 N: 1594] (9508)
  • [2010-11-12 12:34]

Bonjour Albert,
C'est tout simplement superbe ; tout y est la composition, la précision la couleur... pour une splendide publication.
A bientôt sur TN pour de nouvelles aventures.
Gérard

PS : Pour ma part je n'ai pu observé ces oiseaux que lorsque j'étais en bateau dans le chenal (avec un télé de 70 mm) et qu'eux se trouvaient au sommet des arbres... un de mes grands regrets !!!

  • Great 
  • anel Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 3053 W: 3 N: 8715] (40574)
  • [2010-11-13 4:22]

Bonjour Albert,
Tu étais donc au Botswana.. et tu as rapporté des images très belles et intéressantes. Cette cigogne d'Afrique est vraiment impressionnante, ce bec coloré tout à fait étonnant. Splendide apparition, vraiment!
Image naturelle et très plaisante par sa présentation décentrée.
Bonne fin de semaine
Amitiés
Anne

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5038 W: 260 N: 15594] (50626)
  • [2010-11-13 7:19]

Hello Albert,
A superb capture of a fine specimen of a Saddle-billed Stork. The technical standard, POV against the contrasting grassy BG and composition are top class.
Thanks and kind regards,
Ivan

Hi Albert

A fine capture of this beautiful stork. Good composition with excellent sharpness.

Chris

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3396 W: 172 N: 3310] (10940)
  • [2010-11-14 9:53]

Hllo Albert,
What as fantastic view of this beautiful Stork that is very sharply in focus here. Excellent details and lovely colours and very well composed.
TFS and best wishes, Ulla

salut Albert

une très jolie composition de ce grand échassier d'Afrique,
excellent POV, cadrage, superbe focus
netteté et détails, une très belle composition, TFs

Asbed

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF