Black-necked Stork

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.