With black and white body plumage, glossy dark green and purple neck and massive black bill, it is easily identified from all other Australian birds. The legs are long and coral-red in colour. The female is distinguished by its yellow eye. Iris is dark in male. Immature birds resemble adults, but the black plumage is replaced by brown and the white plumage is duskier. This species has also been called the Jabiru.
Near-threatened.
With black and white body plumage, glossy dark green and purple neck and massive black bill, it is easily identified from all other Australian birds. The legs are long and coral-red in colour. The female is distinguished by its yellow eye. Iris is dark in male. Immature birds resemble adults, but the black plumage is replaced by brown and the white plumage is duskier. This species has also been called the Jabiru.
VOICE: Gutteral grunts. Will also clack and snap bill.
129-137 cm, wingspan 190-218 cm
Taxonomy:
- Mycteria asiatica Latham, 1790, India. Sometimes placed in monospecific genus Xenorhynchus, but close similarity to E. senegalensis in breeding habits, behaviour and morphology demand their treatment as congeners. Two subspecies recognized. (source: Handbook of the Birds of World)
Subspecies and Distribution:
- *asiaticus (Latham, 1790) - Oriental Region. *australis (Shaw, 1800) - S New Guinea, N and NE Australia.
The Black-necked Stork inhabits wetlands, such as floodplains of rivers with large shallow swamps and pools, and deeper permanent bodies of water. Occasionally individuals will stray into open grass, woodland areas or flooded paddocks in search of food.
The Black-necked Stork feeds on fish, small crustaceans and amphibians. Most prey is caught by the bird jabbing and seizing it with its large bill. Some food is caught by lunging forward with a large stride or by leaping into the air.
March-May. Pairs of Black-necked Storks bond for several years, perhaps for life. The nest is a large platform of sticks and other vegetation, which is placed in a tall tree standing in or near water. Birds are secretive and nest in isolated pairs. There is little courtship, with the exception of some bowing and clapping of bills. The eggs are white and conical and are incubated by both parents. Both parents care for the young.