Want to know where and when to find African Openbill? opspoor shows recent sightings across South Africa's parks and when each species is usually active.
Where to see African Openbill in South Africa
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.
Did you know?
The African Openbill’s unusually shaped bill is specialised for extracting freshwater snails from their shells.
Also known as: Openbill, Oopbekooievaar, Afrika-oopbekooievaar
Planning a safari? Pick a park above to see when and where to look for African Openbill, and log your own sightings in opspoor, even with no signal.