SANParks.org Forums

This thread is about Saddle-billed Storks only. If you have any photos of or interesting information about Saddle-billed Storks you can post it here. Maybe you have made an interesting observation while watching Saddle-billed Storks in one of the SANParks that you want to share with the rest of us; this is the place to do it.
____________________________________

I love them, what beauts they are!

I remember that there were only something like 18 or 20 breading pairs in the whole of Kruger Park. It seems to be more but maybe it is just because they are such striking looking birds.

Any current numbers KNP Spokesman, Danie/Kruger?

They are cool aren't they! I think it was here somewhere that I read yesterday as well about there being fewer in the Park than cheetah or wilddog, but that they are far easier to see as they like the main waterways.

I must admit, I would never have guessed they were so endangered as I can't think of a time when I've been into the Park and not seen at least one, beautiful creatures that they are.

[edit]
I've found the link again - http://www.sanparks.org/groups/birders/knp_big_6.php

"Interestingly, it is estimated that there are only between 25 and 30 breeding pairs of Saddle-bills in the park, plus a handful of non-breeding individuals. However, because they are so large and striking in appearance and are very prominent along major water points, visitors regularly see them. But these numbers make them far rarer and more threatened than animals such as cheetah and wild dog, not to mention the big 5."
[/edit]

Beautiful birds. I've normally seen pairs at dams - Eileen Orpen, Kumana and Nsemani spring to mind. Saw one sitting once, which is weird - their knees bend forward. So picture yourself sitting on your knees, but with your legs bent in front rather than underneath you (don't try this at home!)

Here is a breeding pair I've seen near Letaba right next to the road.




Nice fact: No one stork has the same pattern on the bill and the male and female's diff is determined by their eye colour:
Female's eyes have a bright yellow iris with black pupil, as opposed to the dark-brown iris of the male.

Interesting sighting?

I saw a saddle-billed stork 100m off the croc river in March when I was staying in BnD. This was my most southern sighting of one by a long shot. Previously I never saw one further south than Olifants, but I have heard of sightings at sunset dam near LS.

We found one at Nwasitshaka Waterhole between Pretoriuskop and Skukuza in September 2004.

I managed some nice shots of a breeding pair with a juvenile of the Letaba bridge last January. I had never seen SB chicks before. Since I too remembered the "30 breeding pairs" thread I submitted one and it's in the Public Sightings gallery.
Beautiful birds!!

edit: Southern most sighting for me was in the Sabie river at Paul Kruger gate.

Saw this male @ Nkulu picnic spot. Entertained a big group of us for about 20min as he was feeding in the shallow sabie river.

We always see the "storks in their dinner jackets" as my dad calls them. I am pleased to report that they pop up at almost any water. We have even seen them at Leeupan and Bobejaankrans, and one flew in at Mantambeni hide on the Letaba river, while I was there last year.

I am very slow at doing anything! I have at last put some of my favourite bird photos on my pbase site - and this is probably my favourite. A truly magnificent bird.

Richard

http://www.pbase.com/richardharris/latest

Over the last 5 years it has been very gratifying for me to see more and more Saddle bills in the park. At one stage there were only six breeding pairs, but now they are seen on most waterways.

According to an article in a hunting mag a while ago there are only +- 150 saddlebills in the greater KNP. Fortunately they do not mind to be seen.

Somewhere between Lower Sabie and Satara, Feb 2005

Here is a few pics of a pair of Saddle's at Transport Dam (Near Pretoriuskop on the H1-1?) on Sunday.