Planning a trip to Pilanesberg National Park? Download opspoor to see recent sightings in the park and log your own.
When to see African Openbill in Pilanesberg National Park
African Openbill are most active during the day (06:00 to 18:00).
This is African Openbill's general behavior. Once enough sightings are logged in Pilanesberg National Park, this page also shows when they're actually seen here.
About the African Openbill
The African openbill is a large wading bird recognised by its unusual bill, whose curved upper and lower mandibles do not fully meet when closed. It is strongly associated with freshwater wetlands, marshes, rivers and shallow lakes. It feeds mainly on aquatic snails and other molluscs, using its specialised bill to extract prey from shells, but also takes frogs, insects and other aquatic animals. It is often seen in groups around suitable feeding areas and roosts communally.
How to identify the African Openbill
Large dark ibis with a long down-curved bill and distinctive spoon-like widening toward the tip. Plumage is mostly glossy black with green and purple iridescence, and the bill has a characteristic gap or groove adapted for handling snails.
Other species to look for in Pilanesberg National Park
Other parks where you can see African Openbill
Heading to Pilanesberg National Park? opspoor shows where African Openbill have been logged recently and lets you log your own, even with no signal.