C. e. episcopus, breeding plumage
Photo © by Alok Tewari
Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur, India, June 2017
Photo © by Alok Tewari
Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur, India, June 2017
- Ciconia episcopus
Identification
86–95 cm (33¾-37½ in)
- Black overall plumage
- Woolly white neck
- White lower belly
- Glossed dark green underparts
- Purple breast and belly
Juvenile birds are duller versions.
Distribution
Africa, Asia, India to Indonesia.
Taxonomy
C. e. episcopus, a displaying pair
Photo © by Alok Tewari
Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur, India, December 2010
Photo © by Alok Tewari
Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur, India, December 2010
Subspecies
Ciconia episcopus has three subspecies:[1]
- C. e. microscelis
- Tropical Africa. Bill greyish-red; black crown less extensive, and with diffuse edge to white feathering.
- C. e. episcopus
- India to Indochina, northern Malay Peninsula and Philippines. Bill greyish-red; black crown more extensive, and with sharp edge to white feathering.
- C. e. neglecta
- Java and Wallacea. Bill largely red, with grey at base only; black crown more extensive, and with sharp edge to white feathering.
Habitat
Wetlands with trees.
Behaviour
Usually solitary or in pairs. The diet includes frogs, lizards and large insects.
Vocalisation
A harsh croak (seldom heard).
Breeding
It builds a large stick nest in trees, and 2-5 eggs are laid.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, S. M. Billerman, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2019. The eBird/Clements Checklist of Birds of the World: v2019. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Sinclair, I and P Ryan. 2003. Birds of Africa South of the Sahara. Princeton: Princeton Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0691118154
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2021) Woolly-necked Stork. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 29 April 2021 from https://www.birdforum.net/wiki/Woolly-necked_Stork
External Links
