©Delores J. Knowles 2008 -- Wood Storks (Mycteria americana) are one of my favorites of the large waders. He may not be the most handsome bird at the pond, but he certainly has character. Originally known as the Wood Ibis, this large wading bird stands about 4 feet tall and is all white except for some black on the wings and a short black tail. The head and neck are unfeathered. Until the 1960’s, the Wood Stork nested almost exclusively in southern Florida when the population declined by more than 90% due to loss of wetland habitat particularly in the Everglades. In 1984, it was listed as an Endangered Species. Since the mid 1970’s colonies of storks have been forming in central and northern Florida and as far north as the Carolinas. Photographed in Polk County, Florida.