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 vertebrates. The English name is derived from their stiff "military" gait when walking on the ground. Large numbers once lived in Asia, but they have declined to the point of endangerment. The total population in 2008 was estimated at around a thousand individuals. In the 19th century, they were especially common in the city of Calcutta, where they were referred to as the "Calcutta adjutant" and included in the coat of arms for the city. Known locally as hargila and considered to be unclean birds, they were largely left undisturbed but sometimes hunted for the use of their meat in folk medicine. Valued as scavengers, they were once depicted in the logo of the Calcutta Municipal Corporation.
Region
South and Southeast Asia
Typical Environment
Today it is concentrated in northeastern India (Assam and Bihar) and northern Cambodia, with post-breeding dispersal to surrounding lowland plains. It frequents floodplains, large wetlands, riverbanks, and seasonally inundated grasslands. The species also uses human-modified sites such as rubbish dumps, abattoirs, and fish markets where food is abundant. Nesting colonies are typically in tall trees near villages or towns. Historical range once extended more widely across the Indo-Gangetic plains and mainland Southeast Asia.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The greater adjutant is a huge stork with a bare head and an inflatable throat pouch used in display and thermoregulation. It is a proficient scavenger, often soaring on thermals alongside vultures to locate carrion. Once widespread across South and Southeast Asia, it now breeds mainly in Assam and Bihar (India) and in Cambodia. Community-led conservation in Assam (the “Hargila Army”) has helped the species rebound locally.
"Gigantic Crane" from Latham's Supplement to the General Synopsis of Birds (1787)
Greater adjutant in water (Kaziranga, Assam)
Greater adjutant stork in breeding plumage, perched near nest (Assam)
An 1855 illustration depicting the stork hunting a snake
Engraving showing adjutants at the cremation ghat in Calcutta, c. 1877
Coat of arms for the city of Calcutta in 1896
Science is Measurement (1879) by Henry Stacy Marks
A view of Calcutta in 1819 by R. Havell Jr. based on James Baillie Fraser showing a number of greater adjutants standing on the buildings
Temperament
solitary and opportunistic
Flight Pattern
soaring glider
Social Behavior
Breeds colonially in tall trees, often within or near human settlements. Nests are large stick platforms; both parents incubate and feed the young. Outside the breeding season it may gather loosely at rich food sources but often forages singly or in small groups.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
Mostly silent like other storks, with displays dominated by bill-clattering. At close range it may utter low grunts or croaks at the nest or during aggressive encounters.