Lesser Adjutant

LepfDptllos javanicus

Beak

—

Feet

—

Crest

Has a crest

Widespread resident in lowlands; unrecorded in Pakistan. Flies with neck retracted, as Greater Adjutant, giv ing rise to different profile compared with other storks. Smaller than Greater, with slimmer bill that has straighter ridge to culmen. Told from adult breeding Greater Adjutant by smaller size, glossy black mantle and wings (lacking paler panel across greater coverts - although this is much less distinct in non-breeding and immature Greater), and white undertail - coverts; neck ruff is largely black (appearing as black patch on sides of breast in flight). Further, has pale frontal plate, denser hair-like feathering on back of head (forming small crest) and down hind neck, and lacks neck pouch. Adult breeding has red tinge to face and neck, copper spots at tips of median coverts, a ndnarrow white fringes to scapulars and inner greater coverts. Juvenile is similar to adult. but upperparts are dull black, and head and neck are duller and more densely feathered. Usually found singly, and is very shy. Globally threatened. Forages by walking slowly on dry ground or in shallow water and grabs prey with its bill. Marshes, forest pools, flooded fields. lakes and drying-up river beds.