Asian Woolly-necked Stork: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Storks and Ibises · day 6 of 7

Five facts

1. Its soft, downy white neck gives it its name. The rest of the bird is glossy black, topped with a neat black cap.
2. When it opens its wings, a thin strip of bare skin shows underneath. Seen up close, it glows orange-red like a jewel.
3. Smoke draws it in: when grassland or crop fields burn, it comes to catch the insects trying to escape the fire.
4. This big stork can be an acrobat. It has been seen rolling, tumbling and diving steeply, the wind roaring through its feathers.
5. Its big stick nests get a second life. In one part of north India, dusky eagle-owls chose its old nests over those of other birds.

The quiz

1. What gives the woolly-necked stork its name?

• Its downy white neck (correct)
• Its fluffy black wings
• Its woolly tail
• Its woolly chicks

Its soft white neck is what gives it its name.

2. What shows under its wings when it opens them?

• Blue spots
• Yellow stripes
• A glowing orange-red strip of skin (correct)
• Green feathers

A band of bare skin glows orange-red, like a jewel.

3. Why do these storks come to grass fires?

• To warm up
• To catch insects fleeing the fire (correct)
• To collect burnt sticks
• To drink from puddles

They catch the insects trying to escape the flames.

4. What makes a loud noise when it rolls and dives in the air?

• Its calls
• Its bill snapping
• Its feet slapping
• The wind through its feathers (correct)

The wind rushing through its feathers makes a loud noise.

5. In north India, which bird preferred to reuse its old nests?

• Spot-billed pelicans
• Dusky eagle-owls (correct)
• Parakeets
• House crows

Dusky eagle-owls chose its nests over other large nests.

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