Black Stork

Крупная длинноногая длинношейная птица, телосложением полная копия широко известного всем белого аиста. Большая часть оперения черная с фиолетовым и зеленым отливом. Нижняя сторона туловища белая. Клюв, голая кожа вокруг глаз и ноги малиново-красные. Сходных видов нет. Самцы и самки окрашены одинаково, у молодых оперение бурое, без блеска, со светлыми пестринами. Вес около 3 кг, длина 90-100, крыло 52.0-60.0, размах 185-205 см.

Rare breeding migrant. Inhabits mountains with meadows near the shallow water (not far than 10-15 km from nest), rarely human visited. In spring arrives in the end of February – early March in southern areas, in the end of March – mid-April in northern ones, and in highlands of Western Altai in early May only. Late migrants observed up to early June. Pairs nest separately. Birds with sticks in bills were observed at Western Altai in end of April – early May. Nest built from the thick twigs and usually used during some years; nest is located on the trees, or in the recess, or on inaccessible rock-benches. Inner cup is lined with the dry grass, leaves and hair. Clutch of 2-5, rarely of 6 eggs is produced in early May to early July. Both parents incubate clutch for 32-46 days and later feed juveniles, which fledge in mid-July – August. Autumn migration begins in the end of August, most birds fly out in September – October, in flocks of 40-50 birds. Individual birds occasionally winter in the south of Kazakhstan, on lower Keles river and on Chirchik river.