Black Stork
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Ciconia nigra
Very rare migrant from Eastern Europe with 5-6 per year in Britain & 5 records for Ireland, mostly May-June.
Breeds in South, Western Europe & South Africa from April-September.
Northern birds winter in Africa.
Adults are mainly black with a white armpit, red bill & eyering.
They fly with their necks outstretched.
Juveniles resembles the adult in plumage, but the areas corresponding to the adult black feathers are browner and less glossy. The scapulars, wing and upper tail coverts have pale tips. The legs, bill and bare skin around the eyes are greyish green.