A large stork very different from the Jabiru: a bald head and upper neck with dark grayish skin, and a pure white body that contrasts with the black flight feathers and tail. Its bill is long, robust and slightly curved downward. In flight the black and white contrast of the wings is spectacular. Unlike the Jabiru, the Wood Stork is very gregarious and is frequently seen in groups of dozens of birds soaring in circles over the wetlands. It measures about 1 m in height, with a wingspan of 152 to 165 cm.
Behaviour
Gregarious and social. It fishes by wading in flocks through shallow water, holding its bill half-open underwater and snapping it shut the instant it touches a fish or frog. It breeds in colonies in trees, sometimes alongside herons and spoonbills.
How and when to see it
Year round, with greater presence between November and March. Visible from boats and viewpoints at all the portals with lagoons.
Where to see it in the Iberá
The gateways of the Great Iberá Park where wood stork has confirmed presence:
Tours to see it
Verified providers operating at the gateways where wood stork lives. You contact them directly on WhatsApp from the app.
- Esteros Ñe’é
Experiences with local storytelling and a cultural take on the marshes.★ 5.0 - Gaucho Argentino
Horseback journeys across a network of refuges in Iberá. Multi-day rides with overnight…★ 5.0 - Irupé Excursiones
Guided hiking. Guided visit to museums, historic sites, chapels and trails of the town…★ 5.0 - Reserva Estero Camba Trapo
Private nature reserve of Ecoposada del Estero, on the Camba Trapo road. One of the…★ 5.0
Species profile
- Common nameWood Stork
- Scientific nameMycteria americana
- GroupBird
- StatusNative
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