Home › Aves › Ciconiidae › Lesser Adjutant (Leptoptilos javanicus)
SPECIES PROFILE
Lesser Adjutant (Leptoptilos javanicus)
Leptoptilos
IUCN STATUS
Vulnerable
CONSERVATION STATUS
Vulnerable
CLASS
Aves
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Indian subcontinent southeast Asia
DIET
Carnivorous
HABITAT
Wetlands forests open areas
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Aves
ORDER
Ciconiiformes
FAMILY
Ciconiidae
GENUS
Leptoptilos
📋 Description
SIZE
110-120 cm long 4-5.7 kg
COLORATION
Bare head neck black with white underparts
ADAPTATIONS
Long bill for scavenging long legs for wading
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Wetlands forests open areas
DIET
Carnivorous
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Indian subcontinent southeast Asia
REPRODUCTION
Lays 2-4 eggs in tree nests incubated 28-30 days
DIET DETAILS
Fish frogs carrion
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Habitat loss hunting
💡 Interesting Facts
1
Lesser Scavengers: Lesser Adjutants wade with 5 kg bodies eating 800 grams of fish daily in Sundarbans' wetlands. Their bare heads prevent soiling.
2
Solitary Foragers: These storks cover 2000 sq km in Assam's marshes nesting in tall trees. Wetland drainage threatens their feeding grounds.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
Sundarbans National Park in West Bengal
Chilika Lake in Odisha
Kaziranga National Park in Assam
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
Watch lesser adjutants wading or soaring in wetlands
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
October-March Dry season concentrates prey for spotting adjutants
