Wood Storks

This large, white, prehistoric pteradactyl-looking bird with his scaly naked head, his outstretched neck and his legs extended flew by taunting me to take his picture early one morning. This is the by far one of the ugliest birds I've witnessed. Additionally, he wasn't delivering a baby. :)

An interesting fact about these birds is they hunt by touch. When prey touches their bill it closes on them in 25 milliseconds which is an incredibly fast reaction time. Also, these guys might fly as far as 40 miles per day in search of food.

Wood Storks are listed on the Federal List of Endangered Species and are also protected under the US Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

(Left-Click to Enlarge)

We are fortunate in Louisiana to have such a diverse population of birds for all to see.

(Left-Click to Enlarge)