Unlikely to be confused with any other stork species because of its large size, unusual, red-and-black-banded bill, and the yellow 'saddle' at the bill base.
Male has brown eyes and a small, yellow wattle. Female has yellow eyes and lacks the wattle. Juvenile and immature are grey (not black), the neck and head are brown, and they lack the yellow 'saddle' at the bill base.
Dams, pans, rivers and flood plains.
Normally silent except for bill-clapping during display.