White Stork Conundrum, Picardy, France (1 Viewer)

First of all, apologies for posting pics of birds on nests. These were taken last week at a well-protected bird reserve with several White Storks on site.

On looking at the two pics, I am puzzed by the beak colour. On reading up, it seems that all White Storks, young and adult, should have bright red beaks, although the young don't get their colouring until the following summer.

Can anyone explain the two birds in the left hand picture? The pics are of different nests. I have another photo in which the black-beaked bird seems to be caring for the other bird in the nest.

Beak color

Has the bird been feeding in dark-coloured mud? I was once completely fooled by a Mockingbird with a bright yellow chest, from feeding on yellow flowers.
Tony

Isn't the left bird a juvenile, possibly not fledged yet? Bill very short, as well as black.

Nutcracker said:

Isn't the left bird a juvenile, possibly not fledged yet? Bill very short, as well as black.

Click to expand...

I think this is correct even though the size difference between the two young in this image then would be very large

Niels

Yep, black bill juvenile standing, red bill adult lying