The Black-Necked Stork (Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus) is a tall, long-necked wetland bird from Asia (Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus asiaticus) and Australia (Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus australis). In Australia, it is also called a Jabiru. It is related to the Saddle-Billed Stork from Africa.

The Australian Black-Necked Stork is white with glossy iridescent black feathers, a black neck, and a large black beak. It has a copper-brown crown and a white belly. It has bright red legs. Females have yellow eyes and males have brown eyes.

It grows to 150 centimetres (59 inches) tall, with a wingspan of 230 centimetres (91 inches).

It is found in India, southeast Asia, northern Australia, and Papua New Guinea. Sometimes it is found in Sri Lanka and southern and eastern Pakistan. It lives in freshwater wetland habitats, such as rice fields, lakes, ponds, marshes, floodplains, and swamps.

It is a carnivore, because it eats meat. It eats birds, fish, frogs, reptiles, crabs, turtles, and snails.

Like most storks, the Australian Black-Necked Stork flies with its legs and neck outstretched.

The Australian Black-Necked Stork is seen alone or in pairs. Sometimes they are seen in flocks of up to 15 individuals.

It nests in trees near water. The large nest is made of sticks and branches, and it lined with aquatic plants. Females lay about 4 white eggs, which hatch after about 30 days. Both parents take turns to sit on the eggs and to feed their chicks.

 

 

Photographer: Martina Nicolls

Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM