Lesser Adjutant
Lesser AdjutantLesser AdjutantLesser Adjutant

Lesser Adjutant

Leptoptilos javanicus

Silhouette: Mike Keesey (vectorization) and Vaibhavcho (photography) · PhyloPic

Least ConcernNear ThreatenedVulnerableEndangeredCritically Endangered
Daily sighting probability ~30% · Possible
at Wilpattu National Park
170 Verified sightings at Wilpattu National Park From 2019 to 2026
7,660 Verified sightings across all 25 parks From 2019 to 2026
October Best month highest sighting rate
🌅 Crepuscular When it's spotted at dawn and dusk

About the Lesser Adjutant

The lesser adjutant (Leptoptilos javanicus) is a large wading bird in the stork family Ciconiidae. Like other members of its genus, it has a bare neck and head. It is however more closely associated with wetland habitats where it is solitary and is less likely to scavenge than the related greater adjutant. It is a widespread species found from India through Southeast Asia.

A large stork with an upright stance, a bare head and neck without a pendant pouch, it has a length of 87–93 cm (34–37 in) (outstretched from bill-to-tail measurement), weighs from 4 to 5.71 kg (8.8 to 12.6 lb) and stands about 110–120 cm (43–47 in) tall. The only confusable species is the greater adjutant, but this species is generally smaller and has a straight upper bill edge (culmen), measuring 25.8–30.8 cm (10.2–12.1 in) in length, with a paler base and appears slightly trimmer and less hunch-backed. The skullcap is paler and the upper plumage is uniformly dark, appearing almost all black. The nearly naked head and neck have a few scattered hair-like feathers. The upper shank or tibia is grey rather than pink, the tarsus measures 22.5–26.8 cm (8.9–10.6 in). The belly and undertail are white... Wikipedia →

Closest Relatives at Wilpattu National Park

Painted Stork
LC

Painted Stork

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Mycteria leucocephala

Daily sighting probability ~60% · Likely
Asian Woolly-necked Stork
NT

Asian Woolly-necked Stork

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ciconia episcopus

Daily sighting probability ~60% · Likely
Asian Openbill Stork
LC

Asian Openbill Stork

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Anastomus oscitans

Daily sighting probability ~30% · Possible

Global Distribution

Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.

Parks Where Found

# Park Country Daily sighting probability
1 Sundarbans National Park 🇮🇳 India
~60%
2 Kaziranga National Park 🇮🇳 India
~60%
3 Chitwan National Park 🇳🇵 Nepal
~50%
4 Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary 🇲🇾 Malaysia
~40%
5 Bandhavgarh National Park 🇮🇳 India
~40%
6 Wilpattu National Park 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka
~30%
7 Yala National Park 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka
~30%
8 Tanjung Puting National Park 🇮🇩 Indonesia
~30%
9 Manas National Park 🇮🇳 India
~20%
10 Minneriya National Park 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka
~20%
11 Way Kambas National Park 🇮🇩 Indonesia
~20%
12 Bali Barat National Park 🇮🇩 Indonesia
~10%
13 Cat Tien National Park 🇻🇳 Vietnam
~10%
14 Kanha National Park 🇮🇳 India
~10%
15 Royal Manas National Park 🇧🇹 Bhutan
<5%
16 Royal Bardia National Park 🇳🇵 Nepal
<5%
17 Nagarhole National Park 🇮🇳 India
<5%
18 Sepilok 🇲🇾 Malaysia
<5%
19 Taman Negara National Park 🇲🇾 Malaysia
Insufficient data
20 Gunung Leuser National Park 🇮🇩 Indonesia
Insufficient data
21 Bandipur National Park 🇮🇳 India
Insufficient data
22 Kerinci Seblat National Park 🇮🇩 Indonesia
Insufficient data
23 Satpura National Park 🇮🇳 India
Insufficient data
24 Kinabalu Park 🇲🇾 Malaysia
Insufficient data
25 Danum Valley Conservation Area 🇲🇾 Malaysia
Insufficient data

Quick answers

What are the chances of seeing a Lesser Adjutant in Wilpattu National Park?

About 30% of wildlife watchers report a Lesser Adjutant sighting in Wilpattu National Park, based on 170 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.

When is the best time to see Lesser Adjutant in Wilpattu National Park?

October has the highest sighting rate for Lesser Adjutant in Wilpattu National Park in our monthly data.

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