Greater Adjutant
EN

Greater Adjutant

Leptoptilos dubius

UnknownCRNP

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greater_adjutant

Overview

The greater adjutant is a member of the stork family, Ciconiidae. Its genus includes the lesser adjutant of Asia and the marabou stork of Africa. Once found widely across southern Asia and mainland southeast Asia, the greater adjutant is now restricted to a much smaller range with only three breeding populations; two in India, one in the north-eastern state of Assam and a smaller one around Bhagalpur; and another breeding population in Cambodia.

They disperse widely after the breeding season. This large stork has a massive wedge-shaped bill, a bare head and a distinctive neck pouch. During the day, it soars in thermals along with vultures with whom it shares the habit of scavenging.

They feed mainly on carrion and offal; however, they are opportunistic and will sometimes prey on...

The Greater Adjutant has experienced severe population declines primarily due to widespread habitat loss from wetland drainage, deforestation, and urban development across its range in South and Southeast Asia. Additional pressures include human disturbance at nesting and feeding sites, pollution of aquatic ecosystems, and direct persecution due to cultural taboos and conflicts with human activities.

Threat summary

Habitat

Greater adjutant in water (Kaziranga, Assam)This species was once a widespread winter visitor in the riverine plains of northern India. However, their breeding areas were largely unknown for a long time until a very large nesting colony was finally discovered in 1877 at Shwaygheen on the Sittaung River, Pegu, Burma. It was believed that the Indian birds bred there. This breeding colony, which...

FRESHWATER· majorTERRESTRIAL· major

Other threatened species in Ciconiidae

Lesser AdjutantVU

Lesser Adjutant

Leptoptilos javanicus

Unknown
White StorkEN

White Stork

Ciconia ciconia

Unknown
black storkVU

black stork

Ciconia nigra

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Greater Adjutant classified as Endangered?
Greater Adjutant is classified as Endangered — facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild — because population numbers are declining steeply and key habitats are under sustained pressure. The Greater Adjutant has experienced severe population declines primarily due to widespread habitat loss from wetland drainage, deforestation, and urban development across its range in South and Southeast Asia. Additional pressures include human disturbance at nesting and feeding sites, pollution of aquatic ecosystems, and direct persecution due to cultural taboos and conflicts with human activities.
Where does Greater Adjutant live?
Greater Adjutant occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Greater Adjutant?
The main threats to Greater Adjutant are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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