Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus australis

(Shaw, 1800)

Vernacular names
English : Australian Black-necked stork
French : Jabiru d’Australie

Classification
Class : Aves
Order : Pelecaniformes
Family : Ciconiidae
Notes : 1 other subspecies known

Identification
Adults can reach a body size of 1.37 m for a wingspan of 2.18 m. Easily recognized with its very long black bill. Red legs, white body plumage with black wings. Neck and head black with metallic green tinge for this subspecies.

Range and habitat
This subspecies occurs in south New Guinea, north and east Australia. Species also found from Pakistan and India to Indochina and Thailand. Lives in undisturbed freshwater wetlands, including rice paddies and rivers.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : NEAR THREATENED
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species is very rare and worryingly declining in Asia but remains fairly common (at least locally) in Australia.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation
San Antonio Zoo (USA)

 

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