South America’s elegant wetland wanderer — tall, graceful, and full of quiet character. It’s a striking figure against the shimmering marshes and flooded plains it calls home. At first glance, it looks a bit like the European white stork, but a second look reveals its unique flair: a forked black tail, dark flight feathers, and a splash of red skin around its eyes and bill base, giving it a subtly dramatic look. It’s nature’s version of a classic outfit with just the right pop of color.
Found across eastern South America — from Colombia and Venezuela down through Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina — the Maguari Stork thrives in flooded grasslands, marshes, and wetlands. Unlike some storks that prefer lofty treetop nests, this species is surprisingly down-to-earth — literally. It nests on the ground among tall grasses and reeds, cleverly using the vegetation as camouflage against predators. These storks are social, often nesting in small colonies and foraging together, especially when water levels drop and food becomes concentrated.
Feeding time is a slow, deliberate affair. The Maguari stork stalks through shallow water with patience and precision, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Its diet is as diverse as its habitat — fish, frogs, snakes, insects, small mammals, and even the occasional bird egg all make the menu. Adaptable and opportunistic, it times its breeding season with the rains, ensuring that when the chicks hatch, the wetlands are teeming with prey. Both parents take turns tending the nest and feeding their young, which grow quickly in the warmth of the South American sun.
Distribution
Argentina
Bolivia
Brazil
Colombia
French Guiana
Guyana
Paraguay
Suriname
Trinidad & Tobago
Uruguay
VenezuelaAnything we've missed?
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Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Colony
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
