Nest site selection and nesting behaviour of the Black-necked Stork 'Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus australis' in northern New South Wales

Abstract

We describe aspects of the nesting behaviour, including nest site selection, of the Black-necked Stork 'Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus australis' in New South Wales over a four-year period (2003-2006). Nests were usually placed in the topmost foliage of tall trees, less than 100 metres from water and more than 200 metres from a road or house. The Forest Red Gum 'Eucalyptus tereticornis' and Swamp Turpentine 'Lophostemon suaveolens' were the most common nest tree species. The well-documented 'up-down display' was observed, as was a previously undescribed 'tree-top display'. The incubation period was 32 to 38 days.