Woolly-necked Stork

1. Bird Name
English name: Woolly-necked Stork
Scientific name: Ciconia episcopus

2. Appearance
The Woolly-necked Stork is a distinctive bird, easily recognizable by its long, downward-curving, dark pointy bill and striking coloration. Most of the body and wings are black, with a glossy green and purple sheen visible in certain light conditions. Accentuating this contrast is its snow-white neck, which is thick and ‘woolly’ in appearance, hence the bird’s name. This bird also has long, thin legs, dark in color, and piercing red eyes that add to its unique features. There is no noticeable difference between males and females, both of them sharing the same physical traits.

3. Size
The Woolly-necked Stork is a medium-sized bird. On average, it measures about 75-92 cm in length (approximately 30-36 inches). The wingspan generally ranges from 150 to 160 cm (around 59-63 inches) across. An adult Woolly-necked Stork usually weighs between 1.5 and 2.9 kg (3.3-6.4 lbs).

4. Habitat & Distribution
The Woolly-necked Stork is a tropical bird widespread in Africa, Asia, and parts of the Australasian region. It is generally found in Sub-Saharan Africa, India, Southeast Asia, and extensive parts of Indonesia. The storks prefer a varied habitat, ranging from wetlands, river edges, flooded fields, to marshes and grasslands.

5. Interesting Facts
– Instead of clapping their beaks to make sounds like other stork species, the Woolly-necked storks make a hissing noise when threatened.
– While these birds are solitary feeders, they roost communally with other bird species.
– In certain cultures, the bird is considered a symbol of good luck and prosperity.

6. Diet
The Woolly-necked Stork has a varied carnivorous diet, consisting mainly of insects (especially beetles), amphibians, reptiles, crabs, fish, and small mammals.

7. Behavior & Sounds
Woolly-necked Storks are usually silent. However, as mentioned previously, they are known to make a hissing sound when they feel threatened. These birds have a straight, strong, and steady flight pattern, often observed soaring on thermals. When on the ground, they showcase a slow walking style while foraging.

8. Conservation Status
The Woolly-necked Stork is classified as “Least Concern” according to the IUCN Red List. However, it is declining in some of its range due to habitat loss and degradation.

9. Lifespan
The exact lifespan of the Woolly-necked Stork in the wild is unknown. However, these birds typically live for around 20-30 years in captivity.

10. Additional Notes

– In Thailand, the bird is locally named as “Nok Ka Choeng”, directly translating to “Stork Bird”.
– The species tends to avoid populated human areas but can be seen in areas with low human activity or in domesticated areas such as rice fields where they forage for food.
– They play a valuable role in their ecosystem, controlling the population of pests including harmful insects and small rodents.