# Saddle-billed Stork

> The saddle-billed stork is the tallest stork in Africa: black and white, with a red bill crossed by a black band and topped by a yellow "saddle". In Murchison Falls it is usually seen in pairs in shallow water and wet grassland.

Source: https://nilesafarilodge.com/wildlife/saddle-billed-stork

Bird · Resident

*Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis*

## In brief

The saddle-billed stork is the tallest stork in Africa: black and white, with a red bill crossed by a black band and topped by a yellow "saddle". In Murchison Falls it is usually seen in pairs in shallow water and wet grassland.

## How to identify the saddle-billed stork

Black head, neck, wings and tail against a white body; a very long red bill with a black band and a yellow frontal shield. Males have dark eyes and two small yellow wattles; females have bright yellow eyes.

## Where to see the saddle-billed stork in Murchison Falls National Park

At the water's edge on delta and river cruises, and beside pools and wet hollows on game drives north of the Nile.

## Habitat

Shallow wetlands, river margins, flooded grassland and swamp edges.

## What the saddle-billed stork eats

Fish, frogs, crabs and other small animals, caught by stabbing into shallow water as it wades.

## Behaviour

Pairs stay together for years and hold large territories, so the bird is never numerous.

## Best time to see the saddle-billed stork

All year. Resident, here all year.

Last reviewed 7 October 2026. Further reading: [en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saddle-billed_stork).

## At a glance

- **Scientific name**: Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis
- **Family**: Ciconiidae (storks)
- **Presence**: Resident, here all year
- **Best time to see it**: All year
- **Chance of seeing it**: Often seen
- **Size**: About 1.5 m tall; wingspan 2.4–2.7 m
- **Conservation status**: Least Concern (IUCN Red List)

Seen on

- [Nile River Cruises](https://nilesafarilodge.com/activities/nile-river-cruises)
- [Game Drives](https://nilesafarilodge.com/activities/game-drives)
- [Bird Watching](https://nilesafarilodge.com/activities/bird-watching)

[Plan your stay](https://nilesafarilodge.com/contact?topic=Accommodation+and+reservations#enquire)

Or call [Whatsapp: +256 757 363362 Landline: +256 776 938 933](tel:+256757363362+256776938933)

## Questions about the saddle-billed stork

### How can I tell male and female saddle-billed storks apart?

By the eye: the male's is dark brown and the female's is yellow. The male also has two small yellow wattles at the base of the bill.

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Nile Safari Lodge, Southern bank of the River Nile, Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda. Telephone Whatsapp: +256 757 363362              Landline: +256 776 938 933. Email info@nilesafarilodge.com. Reservations: https://nilesafarilodge.com/contact