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: Uncommon resident

Conservation Status: Vulnerable (BirdLife International 2017)

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

Featured reports: Mar 2022, Apr 2022, May 2022, Jun 2022, Jul 2022, Aug 2022, Sep 2022, Oct 2022, Nov 2022, Dec 2022, Jan 2023, Feb 2023, Mar 2023, Apr 2023

Lesser Adjutant at Parit Jawa. Photo credit: Solomon Anthony
Lesser Adjutant at Parit Jawa Photo credit: Solomon Anthony
Lesser Adjutant at SBWR. Photo credit: Francis Yap
Lesser Adjutant at SBWR. Photo credit: Francis Yap
Lesser Adjutant at Western Catchment Area. Photo credit: See Toh Yew Wai
Lesser Adjutant at SBWR. Photo credit: Francis Yap
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: Solomon Anthony
External Links:

Conservation Status: IUCN Red List Page

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 1 January 2023

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

RECOMMENDED CITATION

Singapore Birds Project. (n.d.). Lesser Adjutant. Retrieved on May 27, 2023 from https://singaporebirds.com/species/lesser-adjutant.