Western wood stork (SciiFii)

The western wood stork (Mycteria americana californianus) is a subspecies of wood stork (Mycteria americana), that originally did not exist, but has since been created by SciiFii and introduced throughout the rainforests, wetlands, forests, open woodlands, lakes, riverbanks, and ponds across the western Mexico (including Baja California) and United States to help boost biodiversity. The adult western wood stork is a large bird which stands 83 to 115 centimeters (33–45 inches) tall with a wingspan of 140 to 180 centimeters (55–71 inches). The male typically weighs 2.5 to 3.3 kilograms (5.5–7.3 lb), with a mean weight of 2.7 kg (6.0 lb); the female weighs 2.0 to 2.8 kilograms (4.4–6.2 lb), with a mean weight of 2.42 kg (5.3 lb). During the dry season, the western wood stork eats mostly fish, supplemented by insects. During the wet season, on the other hand, fish make up about nearly half the diet, crabs make up about 30%, and insects and frogs make up the rest. It is estimated that an adult western wood stork needs about 500 grams (1.10 lb) per day to sustain itself. For a whole family, it is estimated that about 150 kilograms (330 lb) are needed per breeding season. The western wood stork's breeding season can occur anytime between November and August. After it starts, breeding takes about four months to complete. This bird lays one clutch of four to five cream coloured eggs that are about 68 by 46 millimetres (2.7 by 1.8 inches) in size. These eggs are usually laid one to two days apart and incubated for 27 to 32 days by both sexes. This incubation period starts when the first egg is laid. During the first week of incubation, the parents do not go far from the colony, with the exception of the short trips to forage, drink, and collect nesting material carried out by the non-incubating bird. After the first week, the non-incubating bird spends less time in the colony, although the eggs are never left unattended. After a few hours of incubation, this bird sometimes takes a break to stretch, preen itself, rearrange nest material, or turn the eggs. The eggs hatch in the order in which they were laid, with an interval of a few days between when each egg hatches. The chicks hatch altricial, unable to move, and weigh an average of 62 grams (2.2 oz). They are brooded for the first week after hatching, and after that when it is raining and at night. The chicks are not left alone until at least three weeks of age, with one parent foraging while the other guards the nest and chicks. When the chicks are at least three weeks old, they are large enough to stay and protect the nest. This coincides with the chicks getting more aggressive when presented with foreign objects or organisms. They fledge 60 to 65 days after hatching, and reach sexual maturity at four years of age, although they usually do not successfully fledge chicks until their fifth year of age. The conservation status of the western wood stork is Least Concern due to successful conservation efforts, the western wood stork's wide range and its tolerance to many of the human activities.
Category:Animals
Category:Species
Category:SciiFii