Wood Stork
Photo credit: Peter May
The wood stork is one of the largest wading birds in Florida, and is the only stork regularly found in the United States. This bird can be more than three feet tall, with a wingspan of five feet or more.
Wood storks can be found throughout the state of Florida - nesting in wetlands such as cypress, hardwood, and mangrove swamps. They find food in fresh, brackish, and salt water habitats such as shallow ponds, tidal pools, swamps, and marshes.
The wood stork is an endangered species. The largest colonies are in the Big Cypress area of Florida.