Black Stork

Ciconia nigra

Wetlands. All black excepting white belly; red bill and legs.

Storks

Not Endemic

Description

Uncommon resident. Similar to [Abdim’s Stork]but differs in larger size, red bill and longer, red legs. In flight differs in black (not white) rump. Immature has yellowish-green bill and legs, and duller black plumage. Occurs singly or in pairs but groups sometimes gather to roost in trees at night. Frequents cliffs and gorges when breeding, otherwise forages around rivers, dams and estuaries.

Quick Facts

Bird Family

Large to very large long-legged and long-necked birds with straight, stout bills. Plumage mostly black and white; bills and legs whitish, reddish or dark. Storks walk with a stately gait and frequently rest on the ground with the lower parts of their legs stretched forward. In flight, the neck is stretched out (unlike herons, which fly with retracted necks) and the legs may trail down at a slight angle to the body. Most storks sometimes soar to great heights during the heat of the day; many are communal in habit and most frequent water or damp places to some extent. Diet ranges from large insects, reptiles, frogs and other waterlife to carrion in one species. They make guttural sounds and hisses at nests, and bill-clapping is used as a greeting between pairs. The nests are large stick structures placed in trees or on rocks, cliffs or the ground.