Black-necked Stork

Latin Name: 
Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus
Category: 
Storks
Size: 
140cm
Description: 

A very big, erect stork with red legs and a strong upturned black bill. Overall white with a glossy greenishblack head, neck and tail and white wings slashed with a dramatic black bar. Sexes alike, but males have dark irises while the females are yellow. Flies with long neck and legs outstretched.

Habitat: 
Inhabits large wetlands including rivers. Usually in pairs or solitary. Eats fish, reptiles, amphibians and waterbirds. Slow, stately walk. Wades deeply in water. Huge stick nest alone in large tree.
Distribution: 
Increasingly rare breeding resident throughout Indian lowlands.
Call: 
Call Description: 
Voiceless but clatters mandibles.
IUCN: 
Near Threatened
National Status: 
very local resident
At IITK: 
Vagrant or irregular visitor