Animals Birds

Wood Stork

SCIENTIFIC NAME:

Mycteria americana

PROFILE:

The wood stork feeds by wading slowly with its bill under the water’s surface. When it feels movement, the bill snaps shut trapping the prey. This is one of the fastest reflexes in the bird world! Unfortunately, it is endangered in the United States, including Texas. Threats include wetland habitat reduction and toxins in the water.

TYPE OF ANIMAL:

bird, ciconiiformes (storks, herons, egrets, and their relatives)

NATIVE TO:

United States, Mexico, Central America, South America, and numerous Caribbean Islands; native to Texas

IUCN CONSERVATION STATUS:

least concern; endangered in the United States

DIET:

piscivore (fish eater) but will eat other vertebrates and invertebrates occasionally

LIFESPAN:

zoos - up to 27 years

SOCIAL STATUS:

flocks or colonies of monogamous pairs