ANIMAL: Wood Stork Mycteria americana Type of Animal: Stork Habitat: Wetlands, marshes, swamps, ponds, trees along water’s edge, cypress stands/domes, Taxodium forest in/around freshwater, mangroves, lake edges, river edges, streams/stream edges, lagoons, flooded farm fields, freshwater ditches, dead trees in flooded impoundments, sloughs, shallow roadside ditches, agricultural ditches, tidal waters, depressions in cypress heads, shallow wetland depressions, woody vegetation over standing water, islands surrounded by broad expanses of open water, flooded areas, coastal areas Location(s): Found in SE US & S California through Mexico, Caribbean, Central America, & South America all way down to Argentina Appearance: Large white bird w/ gray face, dark legs/feet, toes turn pink/beige during breeding, males larger than females, long black downward-curved bill, bare head/neck Food/Diet: Fish, amphibians, crustaceans, insects, large larvae, reptiles, small birds, small mammals, carrion, human food, cattle poop, seeds Status in Wild: Stable Conservation: Breeding in zoos & wildlife centers. Conservation protections in place. Lifestyle: Flocks range from 6-1,000 birds. Breed in large colonies of up to 1,000 birds. Additional Info: Called: Male: Cock Female: Hen Young: Chick Group: Colony/Flock Weight: Male: 6.2 lbs Female: 5.1 lbs Young: 1.3 lbs Gestation: 1 month Life Span: 11-18 years in wild, up to 27 years in captivity Height: Male: 3-3.5 ft Female: 2.7-3 ft Young: 1.4 ft Body Length: Male: 3-3.5 ft Female: 2.7-3 ft Young: 1.4 ft Tail Length: 0.3 in, same for both sexes Main predators of adults are crocodilians, large constrictors, felids, large canids, eagles, & bears. Raccoons, caracaras, hawks, owls, vultures, smaller cats, pigs, foxes, small dogs, & otters prey on chicks. Striped skunks, corvids, & grackles prey on eggs. These large birds have a 5-5.4 ft wingspan, w/ males having longer wings. Only stork that breeds in North America. Locate prey by touch/sight. Adults practically mute losing vocalization ability a year after leaving nest. They build flimsy platform sticks as nests. Chicks leave nest before they turn a year old & reach maturity at around 3 years old. While stable, habitat alteration/fragmentation & water pollution are major threats. They’re an important indicator species. Fun Fact(s): Parents regurgitate water over chicks as well as extending wings to cool them off. Even though not an ibis, sometimes called wood ibis. Indian tribes see these birds as symbols of fertility/new beginnings. Even though crocodilians are primary predators, often nest near them since crocodilians drive away/eat nest predators. It’s believed these animals have one of fastest reflex actions in animal kingdom, able to snap bill shut in 0.25 milliseconds.
