The Black-necked
Stork (Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus), also commonly called
a Jabiru (1), is Australia’s only stork. It is a resident species
across the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia with a disjunct population in
Australia.
The stork is tall and stately with long legs
and neck. The black and white body feathers and iridescent black, green and
purple head and neck and massive bill all add up to make one very impressive
bird.
An immature male (2) is currently in residence (July
2019) at the Byron Wetlands NSW where I captured some late afternoon photos as
it foraged on one of the wastewater treatment wetland cells.
Please click on
photos to enlarge.
(1)
The
name Jabiru comes from the Brazilian Tupi-Guarani language – the name was used
by Latham (1801) for the Australian stork. However, “Jabiru” had earlier been used
to name a large South American stork - so per the rules – the name Jabiru can’t
be used for The Black-necked Stork. Thanks to Fraser and Gray “Australian Bird
Names a Complete Guide” for explanation regarding the name Jabiru.
(2)
The
dark eye shows the bird to be a male. The females have a yellow iris.
