Photo: Derek Keats from Johannesburg, South Africa / CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
African Woolly-necked Stork
Ciconia microscelis
African Woolly-necked Stork (Ciconia microscelis) — Storks of Africa.
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The African Woolly-necked Stork (Ciconia microscelis) is a member of the Ciconiidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 2.1 kg. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Ciconiiformes
- Family Ciconiidae Storks
- Genus Ciconia
- Species microscelis
Quick facts
- Weight
- 2.1 kg
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Ciconiidae
- Order
- Ciconiiformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Near Threatened
Least Concern
Least Concern
Endangered
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The African Woolly-necked Stork hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of wetlands, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The African Woolly-necked Stork is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The African Woolly-necked Stork (Ciconia microscelis) belongs to the Ciconiidae family of the order Ciconiiformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF Africa s of the Sahara.
It is a very large bird. Adults weighs around 2.1 kg, with a wing length of about 48.1 cm and a tail of around 19.3 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 14.4 million km² — a very large global range.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the African Woolly-necked Stork?
The African Woolly-necked Stork is a very large bird that weighs around 2.1 kg.
Where does the African Woolly-necked Stork live?
The African Woolly-necked Stork is found across Africa with a range covering AF Africa s of the Sahara, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the African Woolly-necked Stork belong to?
The African Woolly-necked Stork (Ciconia microscelis) belongs to the Ciconiidae family, in the order Ciconiiformes.
What does the African Woolly-necked Stork eat?
The African Woolly-necked Stork hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the African Woolly-necked Stork migrate?
The African Woolly-necked Stork is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the African Woolly-necked Stork endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
How large is the African Woolly-necked Stork's range?
The African Woolly-necked Stork has a mapped global range of about 14.4 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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