yyattung

A mystery stork was photographed in Sichuan.

http://www.cnbird.org.cn/show.asp?mode=e&xh=25443

ajohn

I'm sure I can't be the only person who was mentally preparing to dash off somewhere on reading the title of this thread!

It is clearly either an Adjutant or a Marabou, but I'm not sure which. Greater and Lesser Adjutant are both potential vagrants to China (most likely in Yunnan I guess), but there is also a risk of escapes occurring.

lmichael

I think that John A is correct to raise the caution that it may be an (escaped) Marabou Stork, quite a common species in captivity. Based on the distinct paleness of the coverts can we rule out Lesser Adjutant, which should show no pattern on the wing? However, I am not sure about separating Greater Adjutant and Marabou from this photo. I can't see any yellow colour on the neck (which would favour Greater Adjutant) but that may just be because the bird is quite distant. Are there any more photos?

Mike Leven

yyattung

No more picture of the bird could be found.

lmichael

I realise that there is an ambiguity in my last post - presence of yellow on the neck would favour Greater Adjutant, absence (i.e. bare skin pink or greyish) would favour Marabou.

Mike Leven

yyattung

http://www.cnbird.org.cn/show.as ... mp;sl=3&index=0


http://www.cnbird.org.cn/show.as ... mp;sl=3&index=1

Thanks Lei Jinyu!!