Mycteria

Mycteria is a genus of large subtropical and tropical storks (family Ciconiidae) with representatives in the Americas, east Africa, and southern and southeastern Asia. Two species have "ibis" in their scientific or old common names, but they are not related to these birds, and merely resemble some bald-headed ibises. Mycteria spp. are large birds, typically around 90–100 cm in length with a 150 cm wingspan. The body plumage is mainly white in all the species, with black in the flight feathers of the wings. The Old World species have bright yellow bills, red or yellow bare facial skin, and red legs; these parts are much duller in the American wood stork. Juvenile Mycteria storks are duller versions of the adults, generally browner and with paler bills. These storks are gregarious broad-winged soaring birds that fly with the neck outstretched and legs extended. Mycteria spp. are resident breeders in lowland wetlands where they build large stick nests in trees. Most species of Mycteria are diurnal, except for M. americana, which may be nocturnal. Mycteria storks walk slowly and steadily in shallow open wetlands seeking their prey, which, like that of most of their relatives, consists of fish, frogs and large insects.