Birds of North America
Wood Stork
Mycteria americana
Life, Habitat & Pictures of the Wood Stork
| Name | B L | W W | W | Family | Latin Name |
| Wood Stork | 41" 104.15cm | 60" 152.5cm | 5.25lb 2.38kg | Ciconiidae | Mycteria americana |
| Click on the bird name below to see the habitat and range map of the |
| Wood Stork
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French: Tantale d’Amérique
Formerly called the “Wood Ibis, the Wood Stork is the only stork, native to North America. This large wader is found in the swamps of southern United States, where it can be seen wading in the shallow waters for food.
The Wood Stork eats a wide variety of fish, especially minnows, killifish and mullet. Other dietary favourites include crabs, snakes, baby alligators, turtles, frogs, small rodents and some vegetation.
Resting, it is easily recognized by its distinctive white body, dark bare head and neck and its dark stout bill. In flight, this stork has a striking black and white wing pattern.
The Wood Stork nests in colonies in Florida. Flimsy, stick lined nests are built well above water mangroves. The female lays between 2-5 eggs and are incubated by both parents for 28-32 days. The young are fed by both parents.
It is not uncommon for one parent to guard the nest, fending off attacks by unmated storks, that may wander into the colony.
Though, the Wood Stork is most commonly found in southern United States, there is a regular north-bound movement after nesting. Birds have been recorded as far away as North-eastern United States and South-eastern Canada.
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Classic Collection of North American Birds
CCNAB
