Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/127088
Sarasota News Leader May 3, 2013 I speculate that the Wood Stork's ancestors, who evolved during the Eocene Epoch, may have been sticking their heads into rotting whale carcasses. However, over the next 50 million years, although the physique of this bird has hardly changed at all, its diet did, and in breeding season its subtle skin and beak color changes are found wildly attractive by the female Wood Stork. I have asked our eminent Sarasota amateur ornithologist Rick Greenspun about breeding and brooding season around Sarasota. He reports, "The nearest rookery that I know of is on the Bradenton River about three miles east of [U.S.] 41. They are on nests now and will have the young ones screaming for food by May." Photo courtesy of Rick Greenspun Page 87 As you will probably never see nesting Wood Storks, unless you travel up the Bradenton River or journey to the Everglades, Rick kindly provided us with beautiful photos. Please note a couple things when looking at them. All the descriptions I have read refer to their wings as "white with black flight feathers." Those black tips are actually tinged with an iridescent emerald shade. Very pretty! Also note their huge, pink wading feet and the babies' fluffy white-feathered heads and huge hungry mouths. I am particularly fond of the photo of proud Mama or Papa (oh, dear, another bird which does not display sexual dimorphism!) with chick. Thanks to the species' dignified and stately demeanor, people have also called Wood Storks "Preacherbirds."