Greater Adjutant

Description:

Listed as Endangered under the IUCNredlist. "The greater adjutant is a huge bird, [which can stand as tall as] 145–150 cm (57–60 in). ... The huge bill, is wedge-like and is pale grey with a darker base. ... A white collar ruff at the base of its bare yellow to red-skinned neck gives it a vulture-like appearance. In the breeding season, the pouch and neck become bright orange and the upper thighs of the grey legs turn reddish. Adults have a dark wing that contrasts with light grey secondary coverts. The underside of the body is whitish and the sexes are indistinguishable in the field." (Wiki)

Habitat:

These two individuals were in trees in the Prek Toal Core Bird Reserve, Tonle Sap Lake, near Siem Reap; after flying away as the boat came along.

Notes:

We were extremely privileged to see three (3) Greater Adjutants. "The sanctuary harbours seven species of water birds of global significance: Spot billed Pelican, Milky Stork, Painted Stork, Lesser Adjutant, Greater Adjutant, Black headed Ibis, Oriental Darter, there is a globally significant population of Grey-headed Fish Eagles and the secretive Masked Finfoot was spotted on an SVC trip in March 2011, over 150 species have been recorded in the reserve. The Prek Toal area consists of seasonally inundated freshwater swamp forest with a high botanical diversity. Short tree shrub makes up most of the landscape, forming a dense under story with scattered large trees, which form the vital nesting ground for large water birds. Prek Toal is unmatched throughout South East Asia for the number and populations of endangered water birds it supports through the dry season. Large flocks of cormorants, storks and pelicans are almost guaranteed from January to May, along with herons, egrets and terns." (Sam Veasna Center) http://samveasna.org/bird-site/prek-toal... According to the Birdlife International (2016) species factsheet, "[t]he total population is estimated to number 800-1,200 mature individuals, roughly equivalent to 1,200-1,800 individuals in total. This is based on estimates of 650-800 birds in Assam, India, plus 150-200 birds in Cambodia, as well as at least 156 birds in Bihar state, India, which may have dispersed from the Assam population." Reference: Identification verified by our guide from the Sam Veasna Center.