The African woolly-necked stork or African woollyneck is a species of large wading bird in the stork family Ciconiidae. It breeds singly, or in small loose colonies. It is distributed in a wide variety of habitats including marshes in forests, agricultural areas, and freshwater wetlands across Africa.
Region
Sub-Saharan Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs broadly from West Africa through Central and East Africa to parts of southern Africa. It occupies freshwater wetlands, floodplains, oxbow lakes, river margins, and marshes in forest and savanna mosaics. The species also forages widely in agricultural areas, especially rice fields, irrigated croplands, and seasonally flooded pastures. It adapts well to human-dominated landscapes provided there is shallow water and tall trees for nesting.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 3000 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Formerly lumped with the Asian woolly-necked stork, it is now recognized as a distinct African species. It readily uses human-modified landscapes such as rice paddies and irrigated fields, as well as natural marshes and floodplains. Pairs often perform bill-clattering duets at the nest and reuse tall tree nests for multiple seasons.
Temperament
generally wary but tolerant near wetlands and farmlands
Flight Pattern
strong flier; steady wingbeats with frequent soaring and gliding
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs, sometimes in small loose groups where feeding is good. Breeds solitarily or in small, loose colonies, placing bulky stick nests high in tall trees near water. Pairs are monogamous for a season and engage in bill-clattering displays at the nest.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
Mostly silent away from nests. At breeding sites it communicates primarily via loud bill-clattering, accompanied by hissing or low croaks.
Plumage
Glossy black body with a distinctive shaggy, wool-like white neck and upper breast; iridescent green to purple sheen on wings and back.
Diet
Feeds on frogs, fish, crabs, aquatic insects, and other small vertebrates and invertebrates. It hunts by slow stalking in shallow water and along muddy margins, striking quickly with its bill. During insect emergences it takes termites and other swarming insects, and it will also capture small reptiles and rodents.
Preferred Environment
Forages in shallow marshes, river edges, flooded fields, rice paddies, canals, and seasonally inundated grasslands. It also works damp pastures and drainage ditches near villages and farms, especially where water levels fluctuate.
