Lesser Adjutant
| Lesser Adjutant | |
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| Lesser Adjutant (Leptoptilos javanicus) |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Ciconiiformes |
| Family: | Ciconiidae |
| Genus: | Leptoptilos |
| Species: | L. javanicus |
| Binomial name | |
| Leptoptilos javanicus Horsfield, 1821 |
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The Lesser Adjutant, Leptoptilos javanicus, is a large wading bird in the stork family Ciconiidae. It is a widespread species which is resident breeder in southern Asia from India east to southern China and Java.
This is a huge bird, typically 110–120 cm (43–48 in) tall with a 210 cm (83 in) wingspan and a body weight of 4.09–5.71 kg (9.0–12.6 lb).[1] It is, however, the smallest member of the Leptoptilos genus. Its upper body and wings are black, but the belly and undertail are white. The head and neck are bare like those of a vulture. The pale bill is long and thick. Juveniles are a duller version of the adult.
Most storks fly with neck outstretched, but the three Leptoptilos species retract their neck in flight like a heron.
The Lesser Adjutant breeds in wetlands in tropical lowland. It builds a stick nest in trees. It often forms small colonies.
The Lesser Adjutant, like most of its relatives, feeds mainly on frogs, fish and large insects, but also small birds, reptiles and rodents during the breeding season. However, unlike the larger Greater Adjutant and Marabou Storks, it rarely eats carrion and human garbage outside of the breeding season, still preferring small, live prey all year around.[1]
[edit] References
- ^ a b Hancock & Kushan, Storks, Ibises and Spoonbills of the World. Princeton University Press (1992), ISBN 9780123227300
- BirdLife International (2008). Leptoptilos javanicus. In: IUCN 2008. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 3 February 2009. Database entry includes a range map, a brief justification of why this species is vulnerable, and the criteria used.
- Grimmett, Inskipp and Inskipp; Birds of India. ISBN 0-691-04910-6
[edit] External links
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