Today's featured feathered friend is the Wood Stork, formerly known as the Wood Ibis. They are native to South America, Central America and the Caribbean. They are year round residents in Southern Florida. Of the world's 19 Stork species, the Wood Stork is the only one that breeds in North America.
Males and females are similar in appearance. They are very large, long-legged, short-necked wading birds with massive deep-based bills that droop at the tip. Adults have scaly bald heads, grayish necks, dark bills and long black legs with pink feet. When perched or standing they appear all white. In flight, their black tails and flight feathers are visible. Juvenile and immature Wood Storks are similar to adults, but have grayish feathered heads and yellowish bills. The average Wood Stork is 40 inches long with a 70 inch wingspan. Males weigh up to 6 1/2 pounds while females weigh up to 5 1/2 pounds.
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/wood_stork/id
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wood_Stork
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