The Wood Stork is the only stork that breeds in North America, found in the Southeast where it requires specific hydrological conditions — drying pools that concentrate fish — to feed its chicks. It feeds by touch rather than sight, snapping its bill shut in 25 milliseconds when it contacts a fish — the fastest reflex of any vertebrate. Listed as threatened in the US, its population has partially recovered.
Best time to see a Wood Stork
The best time to see a Wood Stork is October–March, when about 62% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 23,537 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Wood Stork? What bird is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Wood Stork sightings near you
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