8 Storks Of Vietnam

Storks Of Vietnam – Ciconiidae

With 8 species of Storks Of Vietnam, occurring over the country, they are the family with the average size biggest of Vietnam Birds. 3 species that can easily to see in Vietnam are Asian Openbill Stork, Lesser Adjutant, and Woolly-necked Stork. But 6/8 species in this family are threatened with many status from Near-threatened to Endangered species

The overview of Storks families (Ciconiidae)

Storks are large, long-legged, long-necked wading birds with long, stout bills. They belong to the family called Ciconiidae, and make up the order Ciconiiformes /sɪˈkoʊni.ɪfɔːrmiːz/. Ciconiiformes previously included a number of other families, such as herons and ibises, but those families have been moved to other orders.

They dwell in many regions and tend to live in drier habitats than the closely related herons, spoonbills and ibises; they also lack the powder down that those groups use to clean off fish slime. Bill-clattering is an important mode of communication at the nest. Many species are migratory. Most of them eat frogs, fish, insects, earthworms, small birds, and small mammals. There are 19 living species of storks in six genera.

They tend to use soaring, gliding flight, which conserves energy. Soaring requires thermal air currents. Ottomar Anschütz’s famous 1884 album of photographs of Storks inspired the design of Otto Lilienthal’s experimental gliders of the late nineteenth century. Storks are heavy, with wide wingspans: the marabou stork, with a wingspan of 3.2 m (10 ft 6 in) and weight up to 8 kg (18 lb), joins the Andean condor in having the widest wingspan of all living land birds.

Their nests are often very large and may be used for many years. Some nests have been known to grow to over 2 metres (6 ft 7 in) in diameter and about 3 metres (9.8 ft) in depth. All Storks were once thought to be monogamous, but this is only partially true. Some species may change mates after migrations, and may migrate without a mate.[citation needed.

Storks’ large size, serial monogamy, and faithfulness to an established nesting site contribute to their prominence in mythology and culture.

Storks of Vietnam Highlight note

Asian Openbill Stork Anastomus oscitans

Status: Uncommon resident

Best time to watch & Photo: Feb-Apr

Tour cover: South & Central Highlands

Hotspot: Tram Chim, Yok Don, Lo Go – Xa Mat

Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus

Status: Uncommon resident – Vulnerable

Best time to watch & Photo: Feb-Apr

Tours: South & Central Highlands

Hotspot: Tram Chim, Cat Tien, Yokdon

Black-necked Stork Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus

Status: Uncommon resident – Near Threatened

Best time to watch & Photo: Feb-Apr

Tours: Central Highland & Mekong Delta

Hotspot: Yok Don, Dalat, Tram Chim

Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala

Status: Rare pass migrant – Near Threatened

Best time to watch & Photo: Jun-Aug

Tours: South & Central Highland

Hotspot: Tram Chim, Can Gio, Yokdon

Lesser Stork Leptoptilos dubius

Status: Especially Rare Resident – Vulnerable

Best time to watch & Photo: Feb-Apr

Tours: South Vietnam

Hotspot: Lo Go – Xa Mat, Tram Chim, Cat Tien

All Vietnam Birds Families