African Openbill vs Wood Stork
Anastomus lamelligerus compared with Mycteria americana
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | African Openbill | Wood Stork |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Anastomus lamelligerus | Mycteria americana |
| Order | Ciconiiformes | Ciconiiformes |
| Family | Ciconiidae | Ciconiidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 78.8 cm (31.0 in) | 91.2 cm (35.9 in) |
| Weight | 1014.0 g (35.77 oz) | 2655.0 g (93.65 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 3-5 | 2-5 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
African Openbill only
None
Wood Stork only
Conservation Status
Least Concern
African Openbill
Least Concern
Wood 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.
Wood Stork
83–115 cm, wingspan 140–180 cm. White body; naked dark grey head; heavy yellowish decurved bill. Only stork breeding in North America; resident from southeastern USA to Argentina. Feeds on fish using tactile bill-snapping in shallow water. Threatens by wetland drainage; nests colonially.