Whooly necked stork
Introduction: Along rivers and at pans, ponds, floodplains, dams, lagoons and swamp forests are the ideal locations to observe woolly-necked storks (Ciconia episcopus). They usually roost in trees or on sandbanks, where they will take a short run-up before take off.
Distribution: Etosha National Park, Caprivi, Kaudom Game Park, Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park.
Diet: Forages in the early morning and evening singly or in pairs by walking slowly for large insects, worms, molluscs, fish, crabs, frogs, lizards and possibly snakes.
Description: Episcopus is a Latin word for 'a bishop' which refers to the black 'skullcap'. White forehead and neck. Black upper parts and tail. Soft and woolly forehead and neck feathers, hence the name.
Breeding: A stick platform, lined with small twigs and dry grass and leaves is cleaned frequently. 3 to 4 eggs are laid at 2 to 3 day intervals and incubated for around 30 days.
Size: 90cm.
Weight: 1.8kg.
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