Black-necked storks are a common sight in Kakadu, all the way from the coast to the freshwater wetlands.

The black-necked stork is often called the ‘jabiru’. However, this name actually refers to a large South American stork that is quite different to our black-necked species.

What it looks like

The black-necked stork is a large white bird with black bands across the wings. If you get close enough you will notice that its neck is actually a beautiful iridescent purple-green.

They have extremely strong beaks, which they use to hunt snakes, frogs, turtles, eels and fish in wetland marshes.

Where to see it

Your best chance of seeing black-necked storks is to keep an eye out of the car window as you drive across floodplains or over bridges. You can also spot them around creeks and billabongs, including Anbangbang.

During the pre-monsoon season of kunumeleng (late October and November), you’ll see flocks of black-necked storks in wetland areas such as Mamukala and Yellow Water (Ngurrungurrudjba).

Other names

• Scientific name: Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus