Species profile
About this species
The Wood Stork is a large wading bird & the only stork native to North America, recognised by its distinctive bald, dark grey head & heavy downcurved bill. Adults are predominantly white with black flight feathers & a short black tail, standing around 85-115 cm tall with a wingspan exceeding 150 cm. They are colonial nesters, often gathering in large flocks at wetlands to feed by tactile foraging, sweeping their open bills through shallow water.
Wood Storks favour freshwater & brackish wetlands including swamps, marshes, flooded fields & the edges of lakes & rivers, particularly in the south-eastern the United States. They require shallow water with high fish concentrations for tactile foraging & typically nest in large colonies in cypress or mangrove trees.
Where to photograph
Where our trips feature this species
You can photograph Wood Stork with us in the United States.
These departures are part of our North America programme.
In the field, David Miles helps guests make the most of these encounters.
Field notes
Photography notes
Early morning during the April Florida Ospreys trip offers excellent conditions, as spring coincides with active nesting & foraging behaviour. Dawn light provides soft, directional illumination that renders the white & black plumage contrast beautifully without overexposure.
During the Florida Ospreys trip in April 2028, visit shallow wetland edges at dawn when Wood Storks are actively foraging in calm light, making it easier to capture sharp detail in the white plumage without harsh shadows. Use a fast shutter speed of at least 1/1600s to freeze wing motion when birds take flight from the water. Position yourself low & at eye level with foraging birds to achieve a flattering perspective & to blur distracting backgrounds using a wide aperture.
Available holidays
Trips featuring Wood Stork
The holidays below are pulled from the same species relationship, so the guide stays tied to live departures rather than becoming a static article.