Woolly Necked Stork

Ciconia episcopus 75-92cm

Venkazhuthu Naarai in Tamil

(வெண்கழுத்து நாரை)

Widespread resident. Stocky, largely blackish stork with 'woolly' white neck, black skullcap and whie vent and undertail coverts. Juvenile similarly patterned to adult, but has duller brown body and wings, and feathered forehead. In flight, upperwing and underwing entirely dark. Freshwater woodlands in open wooded country.