Class: Aves
Order: Ciconiiformes
Family: Ciconiidae
Genus: Mycteria
Species: ibis

The yellow-billed stork is native to Africa and named for its bright yellow bill, which makes for a colorful contrast with the stork’s red face. The bill is long and narrow, allowing the stork to catch almost all of its food in the water. Storks invented a technique of stirring the water with one foot to disturb and flush out prey. They then poke their heads in the water and snap their bills, catching small prey like fish, insects, frogs and crustaceans.

Appearance:

• Bright red face with a vibrant yellow bill, long pinkish legs, black under wings and tail
• Height: Just over 3 feet high
• Weight: From 4 to 5 pounds

Diet: Crustaceans, small fish, frogs, insects and worms

Range: Wetlands south of the Sahara to northern South Africa. Also found in western Madagascar.