Woolly-necked Stork

Ciconia episcopus

Other Names

    Cigogne épiscopale   Wollhalsstorch   Cigüeña Lanuda   Ullhalsstork   Bisschopsooievaar   Cicogna dal collo lanoso

World: There are 3 subspecies; microscelis pictured above is found in Africa and is widespread in the tropical band between 15°N and 20°S, it is absent from only the very arid areas within this region. The subspecies episcopus is found in India, Indochina, the N Malay peninsula and the Philippines while neglecta is found in Java and Wallacea.

Kenya: Found in pairs or small groups typically near water. Present and common all year round at the coast and in small numbers in Tsavo East, it wanders elsewhere in the country and is also an intra-African migrant.

Although Woolly-necked Storks are associated with water they rarely wade. Their diet consists of fish, toads, frogs, crabs, snakes, lizards, molluscs, insects marine invertebrates although there is also some evidence that they may eat palm nuts. They may be found around grass fires where they feed on burnt reptiles and insects. These are long-lived birds with the oldest recorded captive living beyond 30. This individual was one of a pair of breeding Woolly-necked Storks that we photographed at Lake Baringo in August 2001.