Asian Woolly-necked StorkCiconia episcopusA dark-brown stork with green-bronze iridescence on the wings and breast. It has a distinctive white ruffled neck, a white tail, and a dark salmon-tipped bill. Resident and migrant. Individuals and small groups forage in rivers, shallow wetland margins, urban grassy areas, and flooded grasslands for insects and small vertebrates. May gather in groups of several hundred when conditions are suitable.Ciconiidae bird family
Order Ciconiiformes · 10 selected species
Browse verified BirdLens profiles selected for complete taxonomy, substantial descriptive coverage, and visual evidence. Open a species to compare its identification notes, distribution, behavior, sounds, and maps.
Asian Woolly-necked StorkCiconia episcopusA dark-brown stork with green-bronze iridescence on the wings and breast. It has a distinctive white ruffled neck, a white tail, and a dark salmon-tipped bill. Resident and migrant. Individuals and small groups forage in rivers, shallow wetland margins, urban grassy areas, and flooded grasslands for insects and small vertebrates. May gather in groups of several hundred when conditions are suitable.
Black StorkCiconia nigraAdult distinctive: glossy black overall with white belly, very long pointed red bill and reddish legs. Juvenile similar, but duller overall. Breeds in swampy coniferous and mixed forests, where rather shy; builds a bulky stick nest high in trees. In mountainous regions also nests on cliffs. Wintering and migrating birds can be found in grasslands, agricultural fields, and on the margins of lakes and rivers. Flies with neck and legs outstretched, and strong, deep wingbeats interspersed with glides; also soars on thermals.
Black-necked StorkEphippiorhynchus asiaticusLarge stately stork with an enormous black bill, black head and neck. Female has yellow eyes. In flight note white belly and mostly white wings with a central black panel, long red/pink legs trailing behind. Immature has darker upperwings. Usually found singly or in pairs around tropical wetlands and ponds.
Greater AdjutantLeptoptilos dubiusImmense and imposing undertaker of a stork with a bare head and neck, pale eyes, and dark gray wings. Overlaps in some areas with similar but smaller Lesser Adjutant; note pale wing panel, paler heavier bill, prominent white neck ruff, and when in flight, grayer and less contrasting underwing. Forages in expansive wetlands and grasslands; also congregates in immense numbers at garbage dumps.
Lesser AdjutantLeptoptilos javanicusA large stork with a completely bare head and neck ideal for its scavenging habits. The adult’s face is red and the neck is yellow while the juvenile has a brownish head and a white, thinly-feathered neck. The upperparts are all dark while the underparts are mostly white. In flight, note the broad wings with distinctive white “armpits” and tucked in neck. Similar to the larger Greater Adjutant; Lesser has a more slender bill, has all-dark upperwings, and often adopts a more upright, less “hunched” posture. Often found in shallow marshes, fields, and swamps.
Painted StorkMycteria leucocephalaA large stork with a long yellow bill that curves down at the tip, like that of an Ibis. Adult is primarily white with black striped markings on the wings and bright pink on tertials. Also note the bright orange face, pinkish legs, and speckled band across the chest. Immatures are duller, with a brown wash, and lack the chest band. These storks typically fly with their head and neck drooping almost at or below the belly level. Often seen near water bodies such as wetlands, marshes, and flooded agricultural fields. Breeds in crowded colonies, often with other waterbirds.Painted StorkMycteria leucocephalaA large stork with a long yellow bill that curves down at the tip, like that of an Ibis. Adult is primarily white with black striped markings on the wings and bright pink on tertials. Also note the bright orange face, pinkish legs, and speckled band across the chest. Immatures are duller, with a brown wash, and lack the chest band. These storks typically fly with their head and neck drooping almost at or below the belly level. Often seen near water bodies such as wetlands, marshes, and flooded agricultural fields. Breeds in crowded colonies, often with other waterbirds.
White StorkCiconia ciconiaLarge, mostly white stork with black flight-feathers and conical red bill. Breeds in open farmland and wetlands, with bulky stick nests conspicuous in trees and often on buildings. In nonbreeding season forages in open areas such as grasslands and agricultural areas. Flies with neck and legs outstretched, and strong, deep wingbeats interspersed with glides. Also soars on thermals; flocks migrate during daytime, often high overhead.
Wood StorkMycteria americanaHuge, long-legged, black-and-white waterbird, about the size of Great Blue Heron. White body with black flight feathers. Adults have a wrinkly bald head and fairly dark bill; juveniles have paler bill and more messy feathering on head and neck. Bill is thicker and more curved than herons. Forages mainly for fish by moving open bill through water until it feels prey. Found in wetlands, particularly flooded swamps and shallow ponds. Often soars, sometimes with vultures. In Middle and South America, compare with Jabiru, which is even larger than Wood Stork and has entirely white wings.
Yellow-billed StorkMycteria ibisLarge, mostly white stork with a distinctive yellow bill and bright red facial skin. It is more tied to wetland habitats than most other storks, and it forages with its bill partially submerged and open, stirring up prey in muddy pools with its feet. When it encounters prey it snaps its bill closed. It is a resident and partial migrant throughout its range, and although not particularly gregarious, it will congregate when food is abundant. The similar White Stork has a white (not black) tail, and it lacks the red facial skin and yellow bill of the Yellow-billed Stork.