<p>
The African Openbill is a small stork that is found in sub-Saharan Africa.
The plumage is black with purple and green iridescent highlights.
Their iris is brown with a yellow inner ring.
The most unique feature is the large brownish
bill with a gap that is specifically
designed to remove molluscs from their shells.
Legs and feet are black with gray eyes.
Both sexes are similar in both size and coloration.
</p><p>
Even though the population of
African Openbills seem to be decreasing, they are listed
by the IUCN as a bird of 'Least Concern due to the current
population size and because they are found throughout sub-Saharan African.
They are listed as 'Near-threatened' in South Africa due to the use
of pesticides to control mosquito population and habitat loss.
</p>
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<p>
:Diet:
African Openbills can be found feeding singly or in large groups over 7,000.
They mostly eat aquatic invertebrates such as snails and bivalves.
They will also eat frogs, crabs, worms, fish and insects.
</p><p>
Their bill has adapted to extract snails from their shells.
The Openbill uses its upper mandible (upper bill) to steady the snail against
the ground and uses
the sharp lower mandible to slip under the bony shield protecting
the snail and cutting the
muscle holding the snail in place.
The body of the snail is then extracted and eaten.
This technique works for mussels and other bi-valves but not quite as
efficiently.
</p>
<p>
:Courtship:
African Openbills breed during the rainy season when snails
are most readily available.
Courtship consists of the male picking a nest site and performing
'displays' on it.
Attracted females will try to approach the male's nest site but
the male will initially drive them away, sometimes violently.
Eventually he will copulate with her.
</p>
<p>
:Nesting:
African Openbills are colonial nesters and will nest with other species.
Both sexes build the nest which consists of a small
platform of sticks and twigs and lined with leaves, grass, etc.
The nest is built in trees and bushes.
Nesting may only occur in years when local food supplies are plentiful.
Egg-laying season is from August-May and
usually 2-3 eggs are laid.
</p>
<p>
:Habitat and Range:
African Openbills are found in wetlands, flood plains,
rivers, dams and lagoons that have a lot of aquatic molluscs.
The range includes most of sub-Saharan Africa.
</p>
<p>
:Vocalization:
Like other storks, the Openbill creates various clicks and clacks with
its bill.
They also produce loud croaks and honks.
</p>
<p>
:Plumage/Molt
They don't have alternate plumage.
</p>
<p>
:Migration:
This species is an intra-African trans-equatorial migrant
making movements that are triggered by the rains.
It migrates in flocks.
</p>
:Tongue/feet:
<p>
:Bibliography:
w4;July, 2012
w39;July, 2012
w63;July, 2012
w19;July, 2012
w20;July, 2012
b27
</p>