Wood Stork

Mycteria americana

The only stork that breeds in North America.  It is found year-round in Florida and a few other locations in the extreme southeast, although wandering individuals and small groups may appear well north and west of its usual range.  It would be an extremely rare and unusual sight in South Dakota.  Wood Storks are currently at populations far below historical levels, primarily due to disruption of normal water flows in south Florida and the resultant change in its normal breeding habitat. 

Habitat: Nests in cypress or mangrove stands, sometimes dead trees in reservoirs.  Primarily forages in freshwater marshes, ponds, flooded fields, and flooded ditches. 

Diet: Mostly fish.  Also crustaceans, snakes, turtles, lizards, small mammals, insects, and some plant material.

Behavior: Forages in shallow water with bill partially open in the water, ready to snap shut when contact is made with prey.  Gregarious during the nesting season, breeding in colonies.

Breeding Map: Non-breeder in South Dakota

Song: Generally silent.

Migration: Generally a permanent resident throughout it's range (southeastern coastline of United States), but post-breeding dispersal does occasionally bring individuals and small groups well to the north and west of its normal range.

Similar Species: American White Pelican (in flight), Great Egret, White Ibis.

Status: Population sharply lower than historical levels.  Alteration of water flows through southern Florida has had a severe impact on breeding habitat.  Wood Storks have recently expanded their breeding range northward into the Carolinas.

Further Information: 1) USGS Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter, Wood Stork

2) Cornell Lab of Ornithology - Wood Stork

3) eNature.com: Wood Stork

4) Whatbird.com: Wood Stork

Photo Information: Photo courtesy of George Jameson.