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Lesser Adjutant feeding in the mud

on 29th December 2011

“According to Wildlife Conservation Society, `Adjutant storks got their name from British Colonial troops who admired these birds for their stately manner.’ Similar to the military adjutants (officers who provide military or administrative assistance to senior commanding officers) who stand at attention when their senior officer walks in, adjutant storks are also known to stand still for long periods of time.

“I have two pictures of the Lesser Adjutant (Leptoptilos javanicus) feeding along Parit Jawa, off Muar in Malaysia. It is interesting to note that this bird plunges its whole beak and face into the mud to search for food (above left). It has strong neck muscles and bone structure to plunge the head and beak at least 50cm into the mud, stalking for fish, frogs and small snakes. This behavior is similar to vultures when they plunge their heads into the carcasses of huge animals; the reason why both of these birds have bald heads. The second photo shows the walking bird with its whole head and beak covered in mud (above right). Talking about mud face mask, the cosmetic industry should take a look at this bird.”

Thong Chow Ngian
Singapore
28th December 2011

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

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