Zoology: Bones

A more colorful relative of the American wood stork, this medium-sized stork inhabits Africa south of the Sahara and Madagascar in shallow aquatic habitats such as wetlands, mudflats and shallow lakes. As its name suggests, it has a bright yellow bill which is roundish in cross-section, long, and curves slightly downward at the tip. Other physical characteristics include bare red-orange face skin, white to pinkish-white body feathers which extend up its long, slender neck, short black tail and wing-tip feathers, and long slender pale legs. This wading bird stirs up prey with its feet, keeping an open beak in the water. Once prey is felt, a rapid snap-bill reflex traps it, and the bird flips back its head to swallow. It will also follow groups of larger aquatic animals that stir up organisms in the water, and it occasionally scavenges.
10 ¼" L x 2" W x 2 ¼" H / 26 cm x 5 cm x 5.6 cm

2-part skull (separate cranium & jaw)