The roof of the upper bill is fringed with plate like structures ("lamellae") in the African Openbill, but absent in the Asian species.

African Openbill (Open-billed Stork) - Species text in The Atlas of Southern African Birds.

The African Openbill Stork, Martial Eagle, Bat Hawk, African Pygmy-falcon, African Barred Owlet, Scaly Babbler, Black-bellied Glossy-starling, and Golden Pipit are also rare.

The Ulanga Valley is home to one of the largest populations of Nile crocodile in Africa and is an important breeding ground for bird species such as the African Openbill, White-headed Lapwing, and the African Skimmer.

The African Openbill (Anastomus lamelligerus) is a species of stork in the Ciconiidae family.