African Openbill vs African Woollyneck
Anastomus lamelligerus compared with Ciconia microscelis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | African Openbill | African Woollyneck |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Anastomus lamelligerus | Ciconia microscelis |
| Order | Ciconiiformes | Ciconiiformes |
| Family | Ciconiidae | Ciconiidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 78.8 cm (31.0 in) | 96.1 cm (37.8 in) |
| Weight | 1014.0 g (35.77 oz) | 2190.0 g (77.25 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 3-5 | 2-4 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
African Openbill only
African Woollyneck only
Conservation Status
Least Concern
African Openbill
Least Concern
African Woollyneck
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.
African Woollyneck
73–92 cm. Black and white; white neck with distinctive woolly white feathers; red bill and legs. Resident across sub-Saharan Africa in moist woodland, rivers, and wetlands. Feeds on fish, frogs, and small vertebrates. Solitary breeder; calls infrequently but produces bill-clattering.