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Yellow-billed Stork
Mycteria ibisShallow-wetland stork that feeds by touch, wading through marshes and floodplains.
Sightings are never guaranteed and depend on local conditions. Follow your guide and respect park rules.
Walks through shallow water with bill partly open, stirring mud and snapping shut around fish — often near hippos and crocodiles.
African Lion Quick Facts
What Is the Yellow-billed Stork?
The Yellow-billed Stork (Mycteria ibis) is a wading stork of shallow wetlands, marshes, lakes, lagoons, floodplains and river margins. It is a tactile feeder of open wet habitats.
Habitat
- Shallow wetlands, marshes, lakes, lagoons, floodplains and river margins
- Open wet habitats with receding water
Diet and Feeding
Mainly small freshwater fish. Also frogs, tadpoles, aquatic insects, worms, crustaceans and occasional small mammals or birds where supported. Feeds by walking through shallow water with bill partly open and immersed, using tactile detection, stirring mud with feet and snapping the bill shut. May follow hippos and crocodiles to exploit disturbed prey.
Movement & Breeding
Largely resident and nomadic with local or regional movements linked to water level. Typically 2–4 eggs, usually about 3. Incubation about 30 days. Fledging about 55 days. Colonial nesting possible, often with other waterbirds.
Where to See Yellow-billed Storks in Tanzania
Verified Tanzanian wetlands including Lake Manyara and the Nyerere Selous ecosystem. Sightings are not guaranteed and depend on water levels and local conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Yellow-billed Stork (Mycteria ibis) is a shallow-wetland stork of marshes, lakes and floodplains that feeds tactily with its bill in water.
Mainly small freshwater fish, plus frogs, tadpoles, aquatic insects, worms, crustaceans and occasionally small mammals or birds.
Walks through shallow water with bill partly immersed, using touch to detect fish, stirring mud with feet and snapping the bill shut; may follow hippos and crocodiles.
Shallow wetlands including Lake Manyara and the Nyerere Selous ecosystem and similar open wet habitats.
Largely resident and nomadic with regional movements tied to water levels, not a universal migrant.
Lays 2–4 eggs (usually 3), incubation about 30 days and fledging about 55 days, often colonially with other waterbirds.
Least Concern globally.
Related Wildlife
Explore more: Wildlife Guide • Serengeti • Tarangire • Lake Manyara
Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed and remain unpredictable. Follow your guide and site rules.
African Majestic Adventure — Established in 2019.
