Juvenile Wood Storks are still here!

· by

Despite their prevalence here in our local wetlands, I haven’t posted in a very long time about Wood Storks. The Wood Stork is a “bald-headed wading bird [that] stands just over 3 feet tall, towering above almost all other wetland birds.” (All About Birds). The adult’s head is bald and scaly in appearance, and its bill is dark and heavy, while the juveniles have soft fuzzy ‘brushcuts’, and pinkish bills.

Over the past decade they have really ‘taken over’ the tree islands, greatly outnumbering our nesting herons, egrets, and other wading birds every year. They arrive in early winter, mate and raise their young throughout our busy spring breeding season. The two photos of juvenile Wood Storks above were taken in early July and they still have not fledged yet in early August!

24 thoughts on “Juvenile Wood Storks are still here!”

  2. In wetlands lush, where waters gleam, 🌿 The Wood Storks linger like a dream. 🦩 With their towering, stately grace, 🌟 They fill our skies and marshy space.

    Juveniles with fuzzy heads, 🌟 Brushcut feathers, pinkish treads. 🍼 Not yet grown, still learning how, 🌳 To take the skies, they’ll learn it now.

    Their adult kin, so bald and bare, 🦩 With scaly heads and darkened stare, 🌌 Overshadow birds that stand, 🌾 In their towering, wetland land.

    For years they’ve made the treetop home, 🏡 From winter’s chill till spring’s full bloom. 🌸 Nestling in their leafy keep, 🌳 Their young ones stay while others leap.

    In July’s sun and August’s glow, 🌞 The juvenile storks still grow. 🌱 A sight to see, a tale to tell, 📜 Of Wood Storks’ lives where wetlands dwell.

    From fuzzy fluff to elegant flight, 🦩 They grace our wetlands day and night. 🌙 In nature’s grand and scenic play, 🎭 These storks make magic in their way. 🦩🌿🌞

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

Leave a comment