Bird Guide

Black Stork vs White Stork

Black Stork (Ciconia nigra)

Black Stork

Ciconia nigra

Huge2.9 kgWoodland

The black stork is a large bird, measuring between 95 and 100 cm (37 and 39 in) in length with a 145-to-155 cm (57-to-61 in) wingspan, and weighing around 3 kg (6.6 lb). Standing as tall as 102 cm (40 in), it has long red legs, a long neck and a long, straight, pointed red beak. It bears some resemblance to Abdim's stork (C. abdimii), which can be distinguished by its much smaller build, predominantly green bill, legs and feet, and white rump and lower back. The plumage is black with a purplish green sheen, except for the white lower breast, belly, armpits, axillaries and undertail coverts.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Black Stork
Recorded by Tanguy Loïs · Call · Monfragüe, Caceres, Extremadura, Spain · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Chris Eason · CC BY 2.0
White Stork (Ciconia ciconia)

White Stork

Ciconia ciconia

Huge3.4 kgGrassland

The white stork is a large bird. It has a length of 100–115 cm (39–45 in), and a standing height of 100–125 cm (39–49 in). The wingspan is 155–215 cm (61–85 in) and its weight is 2.3–4.5 kg (5.1–9.9 lb). Like all storks, it has long legs, a long neck and a long straight pointed beak. The sexes are identical in appearance, except that males are larger than females on average. The plumage is mainly white with black flight feathers and wing coverts; the black is caused by the pigment melanin. The breast feathers are long and shaggy forming a ruff which is used in some courtship displays.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the White Stork
Recorded by Sonothèque ADVL · Call · Vains, Manche, Normandie, France · CC0
Photo: Irene · CC0

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Black Stork and White Stork.