Black stork

Description

The black stork is a large bird,measuring between 95 and 100 cm (37 and 39 in) in length with a 145-to-155 cm (57-to-61 in) wingspan,and weighing around 3 kg (6.6 lb).Standing as tall as 102 cm (40 in),it has long red legs,a long neck and a long,straight,pointed red beak.It bears some resemblance to Abdim's stork (C.abdimii),which can be distinguished by its much smaller build,predominantly green bill,legs and feet,and white rump and lower back.The plumage is black with a purplish green sheen,except for the white lower breast,belly,armpits,axillaries and undertail coverts.The breast feathers are long and shaggy,forming a ruff which is used in some courtship displays.The black stork has brown irises,and bare red skin around its eyes The sexes are identical in appearance,except that males are larger than females on average.Moulting takes place in spring,with the iridescent sheen brighter in new plumage.It walks slowly and steadily on the ground and like all storks,it flies with its neck outstretched.The juvenile resembles the adult in plumage,but the areas corresponding to the adult black feathers are browner and less glossy.The scapulars,wing and upper tail coverts have pale tips.The legs,bill and bare skin around the eyes are greyish green.It could possibly be confused with the juvenile yellow-billed stork,but the latter has paler wings and mantle,a longer bill and white under the wings.