I was sitting in a meeting earlier today (20th Jan) in Hangzhou, China when a large, long-necked, long-legged, black and white bird flew past the window. The window in question overlooks a small wetland and park in the centre of the Zijin'gang campus of Zhejiang univerisity (still very much in the city).
It was clearly much larger than the numerous little egrets and night herons around and flew with both legs and neck outstretched. Sadly, being in a meeting, I couldn't get a good look but I could see that the primaries and the rear edge of the wing were black and the front edge of the wings were white (or at least much paler than the tips/rear).
Whilst I've seen grey heron's fly with neck outstretched a few times, the contrast between pale and dark wing regions was much too great and the wings seemed broader (and more evenly broad).
To me this description best fits oriental stork but, maybe alternatively, white-naped crane, both of which seem unlikely to me in the centre of a large city. Any suggestions on the likelihood of either or any bird I've forgotten about?
thanks
Michael
It was clearly much larger than the numerous little egrets and night herons around and flew with both legs and neck outstretched. Sadly, being in a meeting, I couldn't get a good look but I could see that the primaries and the rear edge of the wing were black and the front edge of the wings were white (or at least much paler than the tips/rear).
Whilst I've seen grey heron's fly with neck outstretched a few times, the contrast between pale and dark wing regions was much too great and the wings seemed broader (and more evenly broad).
To me this description best fits oriental stork but, maybe alternatively, white-naped crane, both of which seem unlikely to me in the centre of a large city. Any suggestions on the likelihood of either or any bird I've forgotten about?
thanks
Michael
