Photo: Geoff Whalan
Scientific name: Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus
Other Names: Jabiru
Status
- Queensland: Secure (NCA 1992)
What does it look like?
The black-necked stork is a large wading bird that stands approximately 1.3 metres tall with a wingspan of 2 metres. These birds have a large black bill, glossy green-to-black head and neck and patches of black on the tail and wings. They are easily identified by their distinctive red legs and long black necks. Females have yellow eyes and males have dark-brown ones.
The black-necked stork is a carnivorous bird. Eels make up the majority of their diet, but they also eat fish, frogs, turtles, snakes and other small vertebrates and invertebrates. The storks use their long black bills to catch prey, wading in shallow water.
These birds are very territorial during the breeding season. Pairs stay together during successive seasons and build nests in old trees. Eggs are laid from May to August, with fledging occurring between October and January. Breeding pairs will raise 1-2 chicks at a time. Chicks stay where they were born until the next breeding season with their parents; they will stay longer if the adult pair does not breed in the following year.
Where is it found?
The black-necked stork is the only native species of stork within Australia. These storks thrive in freshwater wetlands, watercourses, swamps, dams and sometimes in surrounding paddocks and woodlands. They also use shoreline habitats as feeding grounds.
What is threatening them?
- Loss of habitat and nesting sites
- Pollution of waterways
- Power lines
- Wire fences.
Conservation
The Black-necked Stork is protected under the Nature Conservation Act 1992.
It is an offence to hurt or interfere with the black-necked stork in any other way than when accepted by the Act. Redland City Council manages environmental pests throughout the Redlands to minimise their impact on native ecosystems and birds such as the black-necked stork.
Did you know...?
There are an estimated 21,000 mature black-necked storks individuals remaining worldwide.
The single subspecies of black-necked stork, E. a. australis, is found only in Australia and Papua New Guinea.
In northern Australia, this bird is traditionally called Jabiru, but this is not an Indigenous name, as is often supposed, but is a Brazilian name referring to a completely different species of stork which occurs in South and Central America.
How you can help
If you have seen or suspect a black-necked stork at any location, please report it to IndigiScapes on (07) 3824 8611.