Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Lesser Adjutant (Leptoptilos javanicus)


A globally threatened rare breeding resident found in marshes, ponds, tanks and villus usually in or vicinity of dry lowland jungles. Lesser Adjutant is the largest bird of Sri Lanka though not tall as very rare Black-necked stork. It feeds on frogs, crabs, fish, lizards, small mammals and snakes stalking on dry edges of water usually as individual birds. But sometime small groups can be seen around drying water bodies. Unlike most other storks it flies by holding its neck drawn backward between the shoulders. Although it is confirmed as a breeding resident of Sri Lanka nest has rarely been found though juvenile birds are seen during and after its breeding season which happen to be March to April and again September. Nest is a huge file of sticks place on a big tree. 

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