The Endangered Wood Stork
October 27th, 2008 by Dan Bodenstein
Wood Stork
The wood stork is a large, bald-headed, wetland bird often found wading on the banks of large ponds, and pools of water. The Wood Stork is the only stork that breeds in the United States.
Wood storks forage in drying wetland areas, by wading in shallow water, stirring up the silt and mud at the bottom with it’s pink colored feet. They leave their bill partially opened and wait for a small fish to make contact. Once that happens, the wood stork can snap it’s bill shut withing 0.03 seconds, faster than most people blink. It is one of the fastest reflex reactions of any vertebrate.
In the late 1970′s, over 18,000 storks were estimated in South Florida. Ten years later, there count diminished to 10,000 birds. In 2002, a survey showed the South Florida colonies has dwindled under 7,700 nests in 41 colonies.
In 1984, the wood stork was added to the endangered species list due to their decline in breeding populations.
Locally there are several wetland areas where I can find Wood Storks wading, or looking for food. Even closer to home, is the one that shows up in my back yard. Apparently it got wind of the fact that my wife feeds the ducks. It stops by for a slice of wheat bread now and then. The sound of its bill closing is similar to striking to flat pieces of wood together. They are very timid, and easily startled.
See more images of the wood stork in my special gallery section.
Comments
The head looks really cool, that image is amazing.
Seldom do I come across a photography blog that has concerns for wildlife. I also find your blog to be very good in its minimalistic design and navigation.
I’ll visit again Dan – there’s so much to see in your blog! Keep photographing!
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