Stork

Storks are large birds of the family Ciconiidae, and found in much of the warm, dry regions of the world.

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

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.

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.