- Ciconia nigra
Identification
Length 95-110 cm, mass 2.2-3.2 kg.
Head, neck, upper breast and upperparts black; lower breast and belly white. The bill, bare skin around the eye, legs and feet are red.
Distribution
Breeds from Western Europe to north-eastern China and Japan; there is also an isolated population that breeds in southern Africa (eastern Zambia to South Africa).
Birds breeding in Eurasia winter in tropical Africa and northern India to eastern China.
Taxonomy
Monotypic
Habitat
Almost always found in close proximity to fresh water.
Behaviour
A solitary bird that feeds in shallow water or on short grass.
Vocalisation
<flashmp3>Ciconia nigra (song).mp3</flashmp3>
Listen in an external program


