Abdim’s Stork
Scientific Name
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Order
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Estimated Wild Population
More Information
Physical Description
Abdim’s storks are long-limbed birds with black feathers accented by white portions under their wings. They have a blue face with a bright red patch around each eye. Among the smallest storks, these birds still stand nearly three feet tall, although females are slightly smaller than males. In some regions, Abdim’s storks are known as “grasshopper birds” due to their pechant for eating grasshoppers. They also eat locusts, caterpillars, small reptiles, amphibians, mice, crabs, and eggs.
Interesting Fact 1
Abdim’s storks congregate in large flocks of up to 10,000 birds.
Interesting Fact 2
In spring, they migrate north to follow the rain, earning them the nickname “rain-bringers.”
Interesting Fact 3
Like other storks, these birds defecate on their own legs, which helps them maintain body temperature via evaporative cooling.
Species Survival Plan®
We cooperate with other members of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums to manage the zoo population of this species through a Species Survival Plan®.
Commitment to Care
Lincoln Park Zoo prioritizes individual well-being over everything else. Guided by scientific research, staff and volunteers work to provide the best welfare outcomes for each individual in the zoo’s care.
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Animals Depend On People Too
When you ADOPT an animal, you support world-class animal care by helping to provide specially formulated diets, new habitat elements, and regular veterinary checkups.
Wish List
The Wish List is full of one-of-a-kind items for the zoo’s animals, including nutritious snacks and enrichment items to keep them active and healthy.
Take Action With Us
Wildlife face many daunting challenges—some global, like planet-wide climate change, and some that affect individuals, like an animal ingesting plastic—but now is not the time to despair. None of these problems are too big for us to come together and solve.
