Stork
| Stork | |
|---|---|
| |
| Yellow-billed stork Mycteria ibis | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom Information | |
| Domain | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Subkingdom | Bilateria |
| Branch | Deuterostomia |
| Phylum Information | |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Sub-phylum | Vertebrata |
| Infraphylum | Gnathostomata |
| Class Information | |
| Superclass | Tetrapoda |
| Class | Aves |
| Sub-class | Neornithes |
| Infra-class | Neoaves |
| Order Information | |
| Order | Ciconiiformes |
| Sub-order | Ciconii |
| Infraorder | Ciconiides |
| Family Information | |
| Superfamily | Ciconioidea |
| Family | Ciconiidae |
| Sub-family | Ciconiinae |
| Population statistics | |
Storks are large birds of the family Ciconiidae, and found in much of the warm, dry regions of the world.
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[1][2].
Species
There are nineteen species of stork grouped in six genera:
- Genus Anastomus
- African openbill, Anastomus lamelligerus
- Asian openbill, Anastomus oscitans
- Genus Ciconia
- Abdim's stork, Ciconia abdimii
- Black stork, Ciconia nigra
- Maguari stork, Ciconia maguari
- Oriental white stork, Ciconia boyciana
- Storm's stork, Ciconia stormi
- White stork, Ciconia ciconia
- Woolly-necked stork, Ciconia episcopus
- Genus Ephippiorhynchus
- Black-necked stork, Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus
- Saddle-billed stork, Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis
- Genus Jabiru
- Jabiru, Jabiru mycteria
- Genus Leptoptilos
- Greater adjutant, Leptoptilos dubius
- Lesser adjutant, Leptoptilos javanicus
- Marabou stork, Leptoptilos crumeniferus
- Genus Mycteria
- Milky stork, Mycteria cinerea
- Painted stork, Mycteria leucocephala
- Wood stork, Mycteria americana
- 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 mate 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.