5ft tall, 7ft wingspan and a striking black-and-white body: IAS officer shares video of black-necked stork. Why is this giant bird ‘Near Threatened’?

A bird nearly 5 feet tall with a wingspan stretching beyond 7 feet is hard to miss. The black-necked stork is one of the most striking wetland birds found across the Indian subcontinent, but its impressive size masks a growing conservation concern. IAS officer Sanjay Kumar recently highlighted the species on X, drawing attention to its habitat, diet and declining population. Listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List, the bird faces several threats to its survival.

IAS officer shares facts about black-necked stork

Sanjay Kumar, an IAS officer, took to X and shared a video highlighting the remarkable black-necked stork. He noted that the bird can stand “almost 5ft” tall and has a wingspan of “7 ft plus.”

Kumar also pointed out that these birds forage in shallow waters of ponds, lakes and paddy fields, searching for prey including fish, frogs and crustaceans. However, he warned that their population is dwindling, which has contributed to their classification as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List.

What does the black-necked stork look like?

The black-necked stork, scientifically known as Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus, is a tall, long-necked wading bird belonging to the stork family. It is a resident species across the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia, with a separate population found in Australia. The species is closely associated with wetlands and can also be found near agricultural fields, including areas where rice and wheat are cultivated.

The bird's appearance is particularly distinctive. Adult black-necked storks have heavy bills and a dramatic combination of white and iridescent black plumage.

According to Animal Diversity Web, their black heads and necks can appear green or purple under certain lighting conditions. Their bodies are predominantly white, contrasting with black coverts, rumps and tail feathers. They also have long legs and orangish-pink toes. The sexes can be distinguished by their eye colour. Females have yellow irises, while males have dark-coloured irises.

How does the black-necked stork hunt?

The black-necked stork is a generalist carnivore with a varied diet. It feeds on fish, frogs, water birds, snakes, aquatic insects, crustaceans and mollusks. Animal Diversity Web notes that these birds typically forage in water no deeper than around 35 centimetres. They can remain almost motionless for long periods before ambushing prey that comes within reach.

Black-necked storks generally hunt alone or in pairs. Their food sources are often particularly abundant following the monsoon season, from July to October. Their specialised hunting behaviour makes shallow wetlands particularly important to their survival.

A solitary and highly territorial bird

Black-necked storks are generally solitary and non-migratory. They can also be highly territorial, particularly when water levels fall and food becomes scarce. Their protective behaviour becomes even more pronounced during breeding season. According to Animal Diversity Web, the birds defend their nests when they sense an intruder approaching.

Their defence display can be dramatic. The birds may jump several times before taking flight, creating a striking spectacle as they attempt to drive away the threat.

Why is the black-necked stork Near Threatened?

The black-necked stork is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List, with a decreasing population trend. Several human-driven pressures threaten the species. These include habitat destruction, drainage of shallow wetlands, disturbance around nesting sites, overfishing and pollution.

The birds also face the risk of colliding with electricity wires, while hunting remains another threat in parts of their range. Because the species depends heavily on wetlands and shallow waters for feeding and breeding, changes to these habitats can have a direct impact on local populations.

Why wetlands matter to this giant stork

The black-necked stork's size may make it appear resilient, but its dependence on specific habitats makes the species vulnerable to environmental changes. Ponds, lakes, shallow wetlands and suitable agricultural landscapes provide important feeding grounds. When these areas are drained, polluted or significantly altered, the birds can lose access to both food and breeding habitat.