Black Stork

A magnificent large wading bird characterized by striking black plumage with a contrasting white belly and red bill and legs. It is a soaring master that relies on thermals for migration.

Striking bicolored pattern with a glossy dark brownish-black or blackish upper vane and a sharply contrasting stark white inner vane and base.

Strongly pennaceous with tightly interlocked barbs and barbicels along the upper portion, transitioning to slightly looser barbs near the base.

Stiff, rigid, and smooth texture with a semi-glossy appearance on the dark vane and a matte finish on the white sections.

Sharp contrast between the glossy black outer web and the clean white inner web and base of the large primary feather.

Wetlands, marshes, flooded meadows, river valleys, and quiet streams surrounded by mature forests.

Widespread across temperate regions of Europe and Asia, wintering mainly in sub-Saharan Africa and the Indian subcontinent.

Acts as an apex aquatic predator helping to control populations of fish, amphibians, and large aquatic insects in undisturbed wetland ecosystems.

White Stork (Ciconia ciconia) or large raptors such as the Eurasian Black Vulture, distinguishable by exact color distribution on the vanes.

Unlike herons and cranes, storks fly with their necks fully extended. The Black Stork is much more secretive and wary of humans compared to its white counterpart.

Good condition with minor wear visible along the outermost distal tip.