Black-necked Stork - profile

Indicative distribution

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Key:

known

predicted

The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas. ( click here to see geographic restrictions). The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.

Scientific name: Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus

Conservation status in NSW: Endangered

Commonwealth status: Not listed

Gazetted date: 30 Jan 1998

Profile last updated: 01 Dec 2017

Description

The Black-necked Stork is the only species of stork found in Australia. The distinctive black-and-white waterbird stands an impressive 1.3m tall and has a wingspan of around 2m. The head and neck are black with an iridescent green and purple sheen. The massive bill, short tail and parts of the wings are also black and the long legs are a conspicuous orange-red to bright red. The rest of the body is white. Females have a yellow eye, the males dark-brown. Juvenile birds are generally brown. Black-necked Storks are usually seen singly or in pairs in NSW, occasionally in loose family groups. In flight, they may intersperse their slow, heavy wingbeats with short glides, or soar on thermals. Storks are generally silent.

Distribution

The species Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus comprises two subspecies, E. a. asiaticus in India and south-east Asia, and E. a. australis in Australia and New Guinea. In Australia, Black-necked Storks are widespread in coastal and subcoastal northern and eastern Australia, as far south as central NSW (although vagrants may occur further south or inland, well away from breeding areas). In NSW, the species becomes increasingly uncommon south of the Clarence Valley, and rarely occurs south of Sydney. Since 1995, breeding has been recorded as far south as Buladelah.

Habitat and ecology

Floodplain wetlands (swamps, billabongs, watercourses and dams) of the major coastal rivers are the key habitat in NSW for the Black-necked Stork. Secondary habitat includes minor floodplains, coastal sandplain wetlands and estuaries.
Storks usually forage in water 5-30cm deep for vertebrate and invertebrate prey. Eels regularly contribute the greatest biomass to their diet, but they feed on a wide variety of animals, including other fish, frogs and invertebrates (such as beetles, grasshoppers, crickets and crayfish).
Black-necked Storks build large nests high in tall trees close to water. Trees usually provide clear observation of the surroundings and are at low elevation (reflecting the floodplain habitat).
In NSW, breeding activity occurs May - January; incubation May - October; nestlings July - January; fledging from September. Parents share nest duties and in one study about 1.3-1.7 birds were fledged per nest.
The NSW breeding population has been estimated at about 75 pairs. Territories are large and variable in size. They have been estimated to average about 9,000ha, ranging from 3,000-6,000ha in high quality habitat and 10,000-15,000ha in areas where habitat is poor or dispersed.

Regional distribution and habitat

Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.

Threats

Powerlines, especially close to wetlands or over floodplains, are a significant cause of mortality of Storks and one of the most critical threats to the species in NSW.
Modification or degradation of wetlands through changes in natural water flows. It is important to maintain or reintroduce flows to provide wetland habitats suitable for foraging by Storks as they require large amounts of vertebrate prey from such habitats.
Loss of wetland habitat through clearing and draining for development.
Loss of key habitat as a result of wetland drainage for flood mitigation and agricultrual development.
Degradation of wetland habitats through pollution.
Removal or lack of replacement for mature paddock trees for nests.
Degradation of wetlands as a result of salinity.
Disturbance to behaviour from the presence of people.
Monitoring is required to assess the species population trends over time.

Recovery strategies

A Saving Our Species conservation project is currently being developed for this species and will be available soon. For information on how you can contribute to this species' recovery, see the Activities to assist this species section below.

Activities to assist this species

The most important management action for Black-necked Storks in NSW is to prevent them flying into powerlines, by routing or re-routing powerlines away from wetlands and floodplains and potential nesting areas on floodplains, and by attaching discs to existing powerlines where Storks, and other birds, regularly fly.
Manage wetlands and their catchments to ensure natural hydrological regimes are maintained to provide suitable habitat for Storks seasonally and annually, including during periods of drought.
Avoid modification and degradation of wetland habitats or any reduction of levels of Black-necked Stork prey within them, as a result of grazing by stock, urban and argicultural run-off and pollution, including pesticides and herbicides.
Prevent loss and degradation of wetlands within the range of the species.
Prevent widespread clearance of of tall isolated paddock trees that provide or potentially provide suitable nesting sites for the species, and also avoid widespread clearance of floodplain vegetation.
Minimise human disturbance around known and potential nesting sites and preferred wetlands.
Provide advice to consent and planning authorities regarding the impact of powerlines and other infrastructure on the species.

Information sources

Clancy, G.P. (2010) Causes of mortality in the Black-necked Stork Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus australis in New South Wales.Australian Field Ornithology 27: 65-75.
Clancy, G.P. (2011) The feeding behaviour and diet of the Black-necked Stork Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus australis in northern New South Wales. Corella 36(1): 17-23.
Clancy, G.P. and Ford, H.A. (2013) The season, frequency, parental care and success of breeding Black-necked Storks Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus australis in northern New South Wales. Corella 37(3): 63-68.
Marchant, S. and Higgins P.J. (Eds) (1990) Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds. Volume 1: Ratites to Ducks. (Oxford University Press, Melbourne)

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

Brigalow Belt South	Liverpool Plains	Known	None
Brigalow Belt South	Moonie-Barwon Interfluve	Known	None
Brigalow Belt South	Narrandool	Known	None
Brigalow Belt South	Northern Basalts	Known	None
Brigalow Belt South	Northern Outwash	Predicted	None
Brigalow Belt South	Pilliga	Predicted	None
Brigalow Belt South	Pilliga Outwash	Known	None
Brigalow Belt South	Talbragar Valley	Predicted	None
Cobar Peneplain	Boorindal Plains	Predicted	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Bogan-Macquarie	Known	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Castlereagh-Barwon	Known	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Culgoa-Bokhara	Predicted	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Warrambool-Moonie	Predicted	None
Mulga Lands	Nebine Plains	Predicted	None
Mulga Lands	Warrego Plains	Predicted	None
Nandewar	Nandewar Northern Complex	Known	None
Nandewar	Peel	Predicted	None
New England Tablelands	Armidale Plateau	Known	None
New England Tablelands	Glenn Innes-Guyra Basalts	Predicted	None
New England Tablelands	Nightcap	Predicted	None
New England Tablelands	Northeast Forest Lands	Known	None
New England Tablelands	Stanthorpe Plateau	Known	None
New England Tablelands	Walcha Plateau	Predicted	None
NSW North Coast	Chaelundi	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Coffs Coast and Escarpment	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Comboyne Plateau	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Dalmorton	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Karuah Manning	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Macleay Hastings	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Upper Hunter	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Yuraygir	Known	None
NSW South Western Slopes	Capertee Valley	Predicted	None
NSW South Western Slopes	Inland Slopes	Known	None
Ocean	Hawkesbury Shelf	Known	None
Ocean	Manning Shelf	Known	None
Ocean	Tweed-Moreton	Known	None
Ocean - Other State	Northern Australian Coastal Waters	Known	None
Other State	Jervis Bay Territory	Predicted	None
Other State	QLD	Known	None
Other State	SA	Known	None
South Eastern Highlands	Capertee Uplands	Predicted	None
South Eastern Highlands	Monaro	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Burringbar-Conondale Ranges	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Clarence Lowlands	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Clarence Sandstones	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Scenic Rim	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Sunshine Coast-Gold Coast Lowlands	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Woodenbong	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Cumberland	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Hunter	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Illawarra	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Jervis	Predicted	None
Sydney Basin	Sydney Cataract	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Wollemi	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Wyong	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Yengo	Predicted	None

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