How to identify the Painted Stork

To correctly identify the Painted Stork (Mycteria leucocephala), check each of these features. Birds can be tricky: habit, habitat, and call often confirm a sighting that a single photo cannot.

Size at a glance

Length

93-102 cm (37-40 in)

Wingspan

150-160 cm (59-63 in)

Weight

2-3.5 kg (4.4-7.7 lbs)

Physical features to check

1. 1

   Plumage

   Overall feather coloration and pattern.

   Adults have predominantly white plumage with a distinctive black breast band and black primary and secondary flight feathers. The most striking feature is the bright pinkish-red tertials and inner secondaries, which give the 'painted' appearance. The tail is black. Juveniles are duller, mostly brownish-white with a brownish head and lack the pink tertials.

2. 2

   Beak shape

   Shape and color of the bill: a key field mark.

   Long, stout, and decurved (downward-curved) at the tip. The bill is yellowish-orange, becoming duller and darker towards the tip, especially in non-breeding birds.

3. 3

   Eye color

   Iris color and any distinctive eye markings.

   Dark brown with a bare, yellowish-orange facial skin surrounding it.

4. 4

   Leg color

   Leg and foot color.

   Dull reddish-brown to pinkish-red, becoming brighter during the breeding season.

5. 5

   Distinguishing features

   Standout features that separate this species.

   Bare, yellowish-orange head and face, black breast band, and bright pinkish-red tertials. The decurved bill is also a key feature.

6. 6

   Juvenile appearance

   How young birds differ from adults.

   Juveniles are duller overall, with a brownish-white body, a brownish head and neck, and lack the vibrant pink tertials and black breast band of adults. Their bill is also duller.

7. 7

   Seasonal changes

   Plumage variation between breeding and non-breeding seasons.

   The bare head and facial skin become brighter yellowish-orange during the breeding season. The leg coloration also intensifies to a brighter pinkish-red. The pink tertials are most vibrant during breeding.

8. 8

   Sexual dimorphism

   How males and females differ.

   Males and females are generally similar in plumage and size, though males may be slightly larger on average. No obvious sexual dimorphism in coloration.

Key field marks

• Head and Face. Look for the distinctive bare, yellowish-orange head and face. This is a key field mark for adults.
• Plumage Coloration. Note the predominantly white body, the prominent black breast band, and especially the bright pinkish-red tertials and inner secondaries, which give it its 'painted' name.
• Bill Shape and Color. Observe the stout, yellowish-orange bill that is distinctly decurved at the tip.
• Flight Profile. In flight, look for the outstretched neck and legs, and the contrast between the white body, black primaries/secondaries, and pinkish tertials.
• Juvenile vs. Adult. Juveniles are duller, brownish-white, and lack the black breast band and pink tertials. Their head is also brownish, not bare yellowish-orange.

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