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'''Storks''' are long-legged, large wading birds of the family Ciconiidae.
'''Storks''' are large birds of the family Ciconiidae, and found in much of the warm, dry regions of the world.
==Species==
==Description==
In general, storks are characterized by a heavy build, long legs, long neck, and a long, stout bill. Broad-winged, storks use thermal air flows to soar and glide, conserving energy. Storks are gregarious year-round, and are usually found in large flocks.
The smallest stork is Abdim's stork (''Ciconia abdimii''), standing at just over two feet tall and weighing 2.2 pounds. The largest is the maribou (''Leptoptilos crumeniferus''), which stands nearly five feet tall and weighs up to twenty pounds; with a wingspan in excess of ten feet, the maribou is among the largest living flying birds.
The name has its origins in either Old English (''storc'' or ''stearc'') or Old Norse (''storkr''), and refers to the stiff appearance of the birds when standing<ref>http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/stork</ref><ref>http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stork</ref>.
===Species===
There are nineteen species of stork grouped in six genera:
*Genus ''Anastomus''
*Genus ''Anastomus''
::[[African openbill]], ''Anastomus lamelligerus''
::[[African openbill]], ''Anastomus lamelligerus''
::[[Yellow-billed stork]], ''Mycteria ibis''
::[[Yellow-billed stork]], ''Mycteria ibis''
Two species of bird have also been referred to as storks: the [[hammerkop]] (''Scopus umbretta'') and the [[shoebill]] (''Balaeniceps rex''). Both species have been classed with storks in the family Ciconiidae for a number of years; however, recent evidence indicates a relationship with pelicans.
==Nesting==
For the most part storks are monogamous; they will ate for life, and return to the same nests every year. However, it has been observed that some storks have changed mates after migrations. Nests are large, up to six feet across and ten feet deep, with new material added every year. Eggs are laid in clutches of two to five, with an incubation period of between 25-35 days. Young reach maturity after four years, and as adults they have a life expectancy of between 30 and 40 years.
==References==
<small><references/></small>
[[Category:Storks]]
[[Category:Storks]]
[[Category:Birds]]
[[Category:Birds]]