Ciconia stormi
The Storm's Stork (*Ciconia stormi*) is an exceptionally rare and enigmatic large wading bird, instantly recognizable by its predominantly dark, iridescent plumage. Standing approximately 75-91 cm tall with a wingspan potentially exceeding 150 cm, it presents a striking appearance with deep metallic green-black feathers covering most of its body, contrasted by a white lower belly and undertail coverts. Its most distinctive field marks include a vibrant orange-red bill with a blackish tip, bri...
This stork exclusively inhabits lowland primary rainforests, freshwater swamp forests, and peat swamp forests, favoring areas along slow-moving rivers, oxbow lakes, and unlogged forest streams. It rarely ventures into degraded or secondary forest habitats.
Their diet consists primarily of fish, amphibians (frogs), and reptiles (snakes, lizards), supplemented by large insects and aquatic invertebrates. They forage by wading and ambushing prey in shallow forest waterways.
Storm's Storks are predominantly diurnal and highly secretive, usually observed as solitary individuals or in pairs, occasionally forming small family groups. Foraging involves a patient, stealthy approach, wading slowly through shallow water, probing the substrate with their robust bill, or ambu...
The Storm's Stork is endemic to Southeast Asia, with its fragmented distribution primarily encompassing the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, and Borneo. Historically, its range may have extended into parts of Thailand and Myanmar, but it is likely extirpated from these areas, with recent reliable record...
Critically Endangered
- The Storm's Stork is one of the rarest storks in the world, with fewer than 500 mature individuals estimated to remain. - It is often referred to as the 'Silent Stork' due to its largely non-vocal nature, relying on bill-clattering for communication. - Unlike many storks that utilize open wetla...