Habitat:
coastal and inland wetlands, riparian forests

Description:
The lesser adjutant (Leptoptilos javanicus) is a large stork standing 110–120 cm tall with a 210 cm wingspan, exhibiting black upperparts and wings contrasted by a white belly and tail-underparts, and a bare pale gray head and neck. It inhabits coastal and inland wetlands of Southeast Asia, including mangroves, estuaries, flooded rice fields, and riparian forests. Feeding on amphibians, large invertebrates, and carrion, it forages by wading and probing with its long bill. Colonial breeder, it performs bill-clattering and neck-arching displays during nesting (February 1–May 31). Pairs lay 2–4 eggs, incubated 28–30 days, with chicks hatching March 1–June 30.

Recommended lens:
>=400 mm

Photography tips:
Position a low hide beside shallow water margins at low tide to capture foraging lesser adjutants. Employ a 400–600 mm telephoto lens on a monopod or gimbal for stability. Shoot in shutter-priority at 1/2000 s and aperture f/8 for sharp focus and depth. Capture in RAW and anticipate bill-clattering and neck-arching displays for action shots.