Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...
A photo of a Black-necked Stork (Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus)
Black-necked Stork

Black-necked Stork

Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus

The Black-necked Stork, Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus, is a majestic wading bird of the stork family. It stands tall, with a height ranging from 129 to 150 cm and a wingspan of about 230 cm. The plumage is a striking contrast of glossy bluish-black iridescent head, neck, secondary flight feathers, and tail, with a bright white back and belly. The bill is robust and black, with a slightly concave upper edge, and the legs are a vivid red.

Identification Tips

Adults can be distinguished by their eye color: females have a yellow iris, while males possess a darker, almost brownish iris. Juveniles are distinguishable by their brownish iris, smaller and straighter beak, and a generally fluffier appearance with brown and white plumage. When in flight, the Black-necked Stork is easily identified by its outstretched neck and the distinctive black bar running through its white wings.

Habitat

This stork favors a variety of wetland habitats, from natural lakes, marshes, and rivers to human-made paddy fields and irrigation canals. It is also occasionally found in coastal wetlands, including mangrove creeks and marshes.

Distribution

The Black-necked Stork is widely distributed across the Indian Subcontinent, Southeast Asia, New Guinea, and the northern half of Australia. It is less common in peninsular India and Sri Lanka and is a rare visitor to southern and eastern Pakistan.

Behaviour

The species is known for its territorial nature, especially when feeding and breeding. It performs a captivating dance-like display during courtship, where pairs engage in a synchronized ritual of wing fluttering and bill clattering.

Song & Calls

While generally silent, at the nest, the Black-necked Stork can produce low-pitched, resonant bill-clattering sounds. Juveniles may emit a series of mildly-warbling, high-pitched whistles when soliciting food.

Breeding

Nesting typically begins during the monsoon, with nests built on large trees in secluded wetlands or agricultural fields. The clutch size varies from one to five eggs, with the chicks hatching after an estimated 30-day incubation period. Fledglings are known to stay near the nest for about a year before dispersing.

Similar Species

The Black-necked Stork can be confused with the migratory Black Stork, but the latter has all-black wings and lacks the Black-necked Stork's distinctive black bar through the white wings.

Diet and Feeding

A carnivorous bird, its diet includes a variety of prey such as water-birds, fish, amphibians, reptiles, and invertebrates. It has also been observed preying on turtle eggs and hatchlings.

Conservation status

The Black-necked Stork is classified as Near Threatened due to habitat destruction, overfishing, pollution, and other human-induced threats. However, it maintains healthy populations in some agricultural landscapes, indicating adaptability to certain human activities.

App logo
Birda is a birdwatching app and community aimed at curious people who want to deepen their connection with nature.

Black-necked Storks on Birda

Photos
Sightings

More Storks

A photo of a African Openbill (Anastomus lamelligerus)

African Openbill

Anastomus lamelligerus
Birda Logo

Your birdwatching journey like never before

Connect with nature in minutes
Take a walk, look out of the window and log the birds that you see. Feel good about those little connections to nature.
Discover the joy of birding
Find new birding spots, see more birds, share and celebrate with a like-minded community of nature lovers.
Play your part in saving nature
Logging your birding sightings and sessions turns into positive action for our planet. Every sighting counts.

Birda Blog

What Our Birders Say
Dunners12345
Great App
Great app to use for logging and communicating with others who are interested in birds
Foxgirl100
Great app for beginner twitchers
I’ve had a passion of photographing birds for a long time now but have only just gotten into proper birdwatching, and this app is brilliant for those just getting started. There is a great sense of community among users and the app is very easy to use and professional. Awesome app altogether
David C
Very knowledgeable group
Nice friendly birding community. Very knowledgeable group with a willingness to help.
EandB17
Terrific App for Birders
Downloaded Birda around the time my interest in birding was sparked, and it has been a terrific app to help me (1) share my experience, (2) document my sightings, and (3) learn more about birds in general. That said, I also believe Birda is a fantastic app for birders of all experience levels. Great community!
Mike T
Sense of Community
A great app, which is continually being improved. What really comes through is the passion of those behind the app. The sense of community is brilliant, so much help and support provided to new and/or in experienced birders.
Alex J
Friendly and helps to identify birds
Great birding app, good for logging your sightings, also has nice species guide. I'm enjoying the social aspect more than I expected, everyone seems friendly and helps to identify unknown birds. Good mix of newbies and experienced users.
Sacha0508
Simply fantastic
I love this app, it puts so much fun into recording the birds I’ve seen and heard while I’m out and about. The interface is user-friendly and suitable for all ages. It’s great to collect badges and to review my “lists”.
Stewart W
Fantastic to be involved
Fantastic to be involved, great for mental health and gets you responding with the Challenges that are to takd part in.
Pdydhdrexgi
Fantastic App
This is a really lovely app, for everyone interested in birds - from newbies to old hands. There is a very friendly feel to the community and you will genuinely learn a lot as you record your sightings and photos. There are lots of badges and competitions to keep you engaged, and a host of really useful features.
Erna M
I really like Birda
I really like Birda. I also use other birding apps and have Birda with E-bird going at the same time.
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright © 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.