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.
Habitat
Cypress swamps, freshwater marshes, and mangroves
Diet
Fish concentrated in drying pools
How common
Uncommon
Recent Wood Stork sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
Spot a Wood Stork? Identify it instantly.
Point Huck at any plant or animal and get an instant ID, rarity, and field notes — building your personal nature collection as you go.
Get Huck — free