Yellow-billed stork
Birds of Namibia
Introduction: Yellow-billed storks (Mycteria ibis) inhabit freshwater lakes, rivers, dams, floodplains and marshes, pans, small pools and streams, estuaries and flooded grassland. Usually seen in pairs (rarely singly) or in groups which can reach 50 in number.
Distribution Mainly central and north-central Namibia including Etosha National Park, Epupa Falls, Caprivi Strip, Kaudom Game Park, Hardap Dam and Naute Recreation Resort.
Diet: Forages in clear shallow water often in the stirrings of the Nile crocodile or hippopotamus for mainly fish, frogs, aquatic insects, crustaceans, worms and occasionally a few small mammals.
Description Medium-sized stork with characteristic down-curved bill tip used especially for feeding in muddy waters. Mainly white plumage with black flight feathers. Mycteria is Greek for 'nose' or 'snout'.
Breeding: A shallow cup is built on a stick platform and lined with grass, reeds, leaves and aquatic grasses. Females lay between 2 and 4 eggs in August to September, incubated for around 30 days.
Size: 95cm. Weight: 2kg. Wingspan: 1.65m.
Alte Kalkofen Lodge
80km west of Keetmanshoop, named after the large lime ovens found on the farms and boasts the largest collection of lithops in namibia
Canyon Hotel
A large air-conditioned hotel in Keetmanshoop. A useful stop en-route to the Fish River Canyon and South Africa
Mesosaurus Fossil Site & Quiver Tree Dolerite Park
The undisputed winner of the longest lodge name in Namibia, MFSQTDP offers accommodation at reasonable prices
