Monday, March 28, 2011

Saddle-billed storks


Following the great sightings we had last month of southern ground hornbills (Bucorvus leadbeateri) at the waterhole, we’ve been delighted to see a steady stream of large feathered visitors around the lodge this week including the Verreaux’s eagle-owl (Bubo lacteus) and saddle-billed stork (Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis).

Despite its relative abundance inside protected areas the saddle-billed stork population is experiencing a similar decline to the southern ground hornbill. The most recent surveys conducted during the 1990’s suggest that no more than 150 individuals remain in South Africa!

It’s great to have a resident pair in the area & we only hope they continue to thrive here.

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