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Mycteria americana
Wading bird of the stork family. Wood stork pairs often mate for life & are the only storks breeding in North America. This stork is easily recognized within its range due to its large size, general white color, large bill, long legs, & bald black head. When in flight, the black flight feathers are striking. The head is (sometimes?) lowered when first taking off. This explains the oddity of the 4th picture.
Tropical and subtropical. Spotted in the coastal tropical south, lakeside.
The wood stork is protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act in the USA. http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/Regula... http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Wood_...
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