Milky Stork

Mycteria cinerea

Milky Stork (Mycteria cinerea) — Storks of South & Southeast Asia.

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Found across 4 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.

Regional checklists

Birds of Indonesia Birds of Malaysia Birds of Thailand

By family

Storks of Thailand

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The Milky Stork (Mycteria cinerea) is a member of the Ciconiidae family found in Australia & Oceania and South & Southeast Asia. Adults weigh 2.4 kg. The IUCN Red List lists it as Endangered.

Conservation status

IUCN Red List

EN Endangered

Facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild.

Where it fits

Class Aves
Order Ciconiiformes
Family Ciconiidae Storks
Genus Mycteria
Species cinerea

Where it lives

Central Cambodia, western Malay Pen., Sumatra, Java and Sulawesi

Quick facts

Weight: 2.4 kg
Diet: Aquatic hunters
Family: Ciconiidae
Order: Ciconiiformes
Habitat: Wetland, lake & coast

How to identify

Similar birds

Least Concern

Biology & behaviour

Diet

The Milky Stork hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.

Behaviour

A bird of coastal habitats, it forages mainly on the ground.

Migration

The Milky Stork is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.

The Milky Stork (Mycteria cinerea) is a species of bird in the Ciconiidae family, part of the order Ciconiiformes. It occurs naturally across Australia & Oceania and South & Southeast Asia. Its distribution covers OR, AU c Cambodia, w Malay Pen., Sumatra, Java and Sulawesi.

It is a very large bird. Adults weighs around 2.4 kg, with a wing length of about 47.7 cm and a tail of around 15.6 cm.

It is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Endangered species face a very high risk of extinction in the wild.

The species has a mapped global range of roughly 88,000 km².

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Milky Stork?

The Milky Stork is a very large bird that weighs around 2.4 kg.

Where does the Milky Stork live?

The Milky Stork is found across Australia & Oceania and South & Southeast Asia with a range covering OR, AU c Cambodia, w Malay Pen., Sumatra, Java and Sulawesi, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.

What family does the Milky Stork belong to?

The Milky Stork (Mycteria cinerea) belongs to the Ciconiidae family, in the order Ciconiiformes.

What does the Milky Stork eat?

The Milky Stork hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.

Does the Milky Stork migrate?

The Milky Stork is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.

Is the Milky Stork endangered?

It is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Endangered species face a very high risk of extinction in the wild.

How large is the Milky Stork's range?

The Milky Stork has a mapped global range of about 88,000 km².