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Birds of Zihuatanejo

CLASS AVES

The head and neck of the bird are bare of feathers and dark grey in color. The plumage is mostly white, with the exception of the tail and some of the wing feathers, which are black with a greenish-purplish sheen. The legs and feet are dark, and the flesh-colored toes are pink during the breeding season. They can be found in estuaries, mangrove forests, swamps, ponds, freshwater marshes, flooded farm fields, lakes, streams, and river edges. They eat mostly fish, and crustaceans, but will also eat frogs and insects.

Wood Stork

Mycteria americana

Diet

  • Primarily fish, especially small fish concentrated in shallow, drying wetlands.

  • Also feeds on frogs, tadpoles, crayfish, crabs, shrimp, aquatic insects, snakes, and other small aquatic animals.

  • Hunts by touch rather than sight, slowly sweeping its open bill through shallow water and snapping it shut instantly when prey is detected.

Range

  • Found from the southeastern United States through Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and much of South America to northern Argentina.

  • Widespread throughout Mexico, including the Zihuatanejo region, where it is an uncommon to fairly common resident and seasonal visitor.

  • Inhabits freshwater marshes, swamps, rivers, lagoons, mangroves, estuaries, flooded fields, and shallow wetlands.

  • Nests colonially in trees, often with herons, egrets, ibises, and spoonbills.

Male / Female

  • Male: White body with black flight feathers, bare dark gray head and neck, long yellowish bill, and black legs. Slightly larger with a heavier bill.

  • Female: Similar in plumage but generally smaller and more slender.

  • Juveniles: Brownish-gray head and neck with a feathered head, gradually becoming bald as they mature.

  • Sexes cannot be reliably distinguished in the field except by subtle size differences.

Size

  • Length: 83–115 cm (33–45 in)

  • Wingspan: 150–165 cm (59–65 in)

  • Weight: 2.0–3.3 kg (4.4–7.3 lb)

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