The milky stork prefers to dwell among the mangroves in Southeast Asia. They are native to Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam. These birds face the threats of habitat loss and destruction at the hands of residential and commercial developments, logging, wood harvesting, farming, as well as marine & freshwater aquaculture; hunting; trapping; human intrusion & interference; and invasive species, that can bring with them predation and hybridization. The IUCN lists these storks as Endangered. Their population trend is listed as decreasing.
First the Stats…
Scientific name: Mycteria cinerea
Weight: Up to 1.4 lbs.
Length: Up to 38 inches, plus up to a 6.7 inch tail
Wingspan: Up to 39.4 inches
Lifespan: Up to 12+ years
Now on to the Facts!
1.) They were first described, scientifically, by English naturalist Thomas Stamford Raffles in 1822.
2.) These storks, while usually silent, can produce a falsetto “fizz” call during the up-down display (greeting ceremony). The young often produce a froglike croak when begging for food.
3.) In captivity in the National Zoo of Malaysia, Singapore Zoo, and Dusit Zoo, milky storks and painted storks interbreed to produce hybridized offspring.
4.) Their legs are usually a pink color, but are often white from defecating on themselves to keep cool. This is called urohidrosis.
5.) A short seasonal migration outside the breeding season is sometimes undertaken, but not much is known of the timing and paths of these migrations.
But wait, there’s more on the milky stork!
6.) During courtship, their bill turns deep yellow, with a grayish tan on the basal 3rd; and the legs turn a deep magenta.
7.) Breeding takes place after the rains during the dry season and can last from April – November.
Did you know…?
It is estimated that there are fewer than 1,850 wild individuals remaining, to date.
8.) Breeding colonies range in size from 10 to several hundred nests.
9.) Nests are constructed up on high and measure up to 19.69 inches in diameter.
10.) Females lay up to 4 eggs that hatch in up to 30 days.
But wait, there’s still more on the milky stork!
11.) The clutch is brooded by both the male and the female.
12.) Mudskippers, catfish, snakes, frogs, eels, and prawns are all feasted upon.
13.) Typical comfort engagements include allopreening between breeding partners and head shaking. Allopreening is the affectionate grooming of one another to help strengthen their bond.
14.) Monitor lizards, crocodiles, brahminy kites, palm civets, crab-eating macaques, reticulated pythons, and white-bellied sea eagles all prey on these storks, their eggs, and their chicks.
Now a Short Milky Stork Video!
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Some source material acquired from: Wikipedia & IuCN
Photo credit: Dick Culbert
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