Ciconia maltha (SciiFii)

The American black stork (Ciconia maltha), also known as the asphalt stork and the La Brea stork, is a species of stork that originally lived in North America and parts of the Caribbean Islands during the Late Pliocene through the Late Pleistocene and was once extinct, but has since been brought back from extinction by SciiFii and reintroduced throughout the Caribbean Islands and the mainland North America to help boost biodiversity. The American black stork is a relatively large species of Ciconia stork, with a height of over 5 feet (1.5 meters) and a wingspan up to 10 feet (3 meters) across. As its name suggest, the American black stork is covered in glossy black feathers that grows thicker in colder areas to keep it warm. As a carnivore, the American black stork feeds on a wide range of animal prey, including insects, fish, amphibians, reptiles, small mammals and small birds. It takes most of its food from the ground, among low vegetation, and from shallow water. It is a monogamous breeder, but does not pair for life. Both members of the pair build a large stick nest, which may be used for several years. Each year the female can lay one clutch of usually four eggs, which hatch asynchronously 33–34 days after being laid. Both parents take turns incubating the eggs and both feed the young. The young leave the nest 58–64 days after hatching, and continue to be fed by the parents for a further 7–20 days. The conservation status of the American black stork is Least Concern due to successful conservation efforts, the American black stork's wide natural range and its tolerance to many of the human activities.
Category:Animals
Category:Species
Category:SciiFii