Leptoptilos dubius; Print; The greater adjutant (Leptoptilos dubius) 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; mainly in India but extending east to Borneo; the greater adjutant is now restricted to a much smaller range with only three breeding populations; two in India; with the largest colony in Assam; some 400 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; they soar in thermals along with vultures with whom they share 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 have declined greatly; possibly due to improved sanitation; to the point of being endangered. 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". Known locally as hargila (derived from the Bengali words for "bone-swallower") 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.