I have seen this small flock before and published the young bird seen here. This time they were closer than usual and their faces were not hidden.
A friend made a comment just this morning on how some of these birds will do their best to ignore you, if the food is there.
This theory will be put to the test soon as the weather starts to cool. It will be harder for them to sift through the thicker mud.
Thanks to your photos I’m beginning to appreciate what amazing-looking birds these are!
They are. The lack of feathers on head and neck, vulture like, is not particularly pretty. In spite of that they are graceful in the air and at the least interesting to watch.
Are bands common on the birds? I don’t remember noticing one before in the photos.
Depending on the bird. Small birds are captured and banded to attempt to monitor the species travels and survival rates. Here, the big birds were banded to do the same. Just not a s easy as a little sparrow. š. Many of these larger birds are either threatened or endangered species. Wood Storks have few wildlife areas big enough to sustain them. Plus they migrate to South America.
Thank you for the information.