African Openbill vs White Stork

Anastomus lamelligerus compared with Ciconia ciconia

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute African Openbill White Stork
Scientific Name Anastomus lamelligerus Ciconia ciconia
Order Ciconiiformes Ciconiiformes
Family Ciconiidae Ciconiidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length — —
Wingspan 78.8 cm (31.0 in) 113.1 cm (44.5 in)
Weight 1014.0 g (35.77 oz) 3310.0 g (116.76 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 3-5 1-7
Population Trend — —

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

African Openbill only

White Stork only

None

Conservation Status

Least Concern

African Openbill

Least Concern

White Stork

About These Birds

African Openbill

72–90 cm. All-black plumage with gloss; distinctive large bill with a gap between mandibles adapted for extracting apple snails. Resident across sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar in wetlands, rivers, and rice paddies. Feeds almost exclusively on molluscs. Colonial breeder in trees near water.

White Stork

100–115 cm, wingspan 155–215 cm. White with black flight feathers; red bill and legs. Iconic Eurasian stork; breeds from western Europe to Central Asia; winters sub-Saharan Africa. Nests on buildings and poles; feeds on frogs, insects, and small vertebrates. Populations recovering with conservation efforts.

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