Lesser Adjutant

Scientific Name: Leptoptilos javanicus
Malay Name: Burung-Botak Kecil
Chinese Name: 秃鹳

Range:
Found from Indian subcontinent, China, mainland Southeast Asia to Indonesia.

Taxonomy:
Monotypic.

Size: 122.5-129 cm

Identification:
Large bird with mostly horn-coloured bill, pale forehead, vinous-tinged head-sides (redder when breeding), yellowish neck, glossy black upperparts, white underparts and dark greyish legs. Shows all blackish wings with white patch on inner underwing coverts in flight.

Habitat: Freshwater wetlands, mangroves and sometimes mudflats.

Behaviour/Ecology: Feeds mainly on fish, frogs, reptiles and large invertebrates. Usually solitary except during breeding season when they form loose colonies.

Local Status: Rare resident

Conservation Status: Vulnerable (BirdLife International 2017)

Location: Western Catchment Area, Sungei Buloh, Turuk Track and Punggol Barat.

Photos:

Lesser Adjutant at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. Photo credit: Francis Yap

Lesser Adjutant at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. Photo credit: Francis Yap

Lesser Adjutant at SBWR. Photo credit: Francis Yap

Lesser Adjutant at SBWR. Photo credit: Francis Yap

Lesser Adjutant at SBWR. Photo credit: Solomon Anthony

Lesser Adjutant at Parit Jawa. Photo credit: Solomon Anthony

Lesser Adjutant at Parit Jawa Photo credit: Solomon Anthony

Lesser Adjutant at Western Catchment Area. Photo credit: See Toh Yew Wai

Lesser Adjutant at SBWR. Photo credit: Francis Yap

External Links:
Conservation Status: IUCN Red List Page
Photos: Oriental Bird Images
Sound Recordings: xeno-canto Link
Wikipedia Entry: Wikipedia Link
eBird Species page: eBird (Lesser Adjutant)

References:
BirdLife International. (2017). Leptoptilos javanicus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-1.RLTS.T22697713A110481858.en. Accessed on 19 December 2021

Robson, C. (2014). Field guide to the birds of South-East Asia (Second Edition). Bloomsbury Publishing, London.