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Mystery Stork

Mystery Stork

A mystery stork was photographed in Sichuan.

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

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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.

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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

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No more picture of the bird could be found.

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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

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