Wood stork Mycteria americana

Identification Tips:

• Sexes similar
• Large, long-legged wader with a long neck
• Large bill, thick and slightly decurved
• Head and neck unfeathered and black
• White body plumage
• Black primaries and secondaries
• Holds neck extended in flight

Adult:

• Dark bill

Immature:

• Yellow bill
• Feathered head is grayish-brown

Similar Species:

Most other large white birds lack black flight feathers. White Pelican much different in shape, tucks its neck in while flying, has short legs and a long, orange bill. Whooping Crane has white secondaries and a white, feathered head and neck. White Ibis is much smaller with white head and neck, reddish bill and white secondaries.