Habitat: This species favors marshes and swamp habitats. In Panama, this bird seems to avoid salt water. Distribution: This species was reported from southern United States to northern Argentina and Uruguay. Natural History Notes: Wood storks are generally gregarious. You may find them looking a little clumsy perched on a branch but they look very graceful in the air. Characteristics: The total length of this species varies between 23 inches and 25 inches (measured from tip of bill to end of tail). The wood stork can be easily recognized by the shape of its bill, very large, heavy and decurved. The plumage is mostly white with a naked black head and upper neck. The feathers used to fly and the tail are also black. The immature bird looks similar, with the exception of head and the neck that show less feathers and that are of a brownish coloration. Notes: Conservation status according to IUCN 2008 Red list: Least Concern (LC).