Black Stork (Ciconia nigra) belongs to Ciconiiformes Order and Ciconiidae Family. Globally the species has been recorded from Nepal, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Pakistan, Europe, Africa, Central Asia, Middle East, South-East Asia and East Asia. Black Stork is a widespread winter visitor in Nepal below 1000m and passage migrant to 2925m altitude. Since 1990 it has been recorded in Chitwan and Bardia National Parks and Sukla Phanta, Parsa and Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserves. Outside the protected areas, it has been recorded from Dang Deukhuri Important Bird Area (2009), Pokhara and Begnas Tal of Kaski District (2007/2012), Gaidakot of Nawalparasi District (2012), Dharan forests Important Bird Area (1998), uncommon sightings at Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve at the altitude of 2925m in 1981 and 1998 and passage migrant in Makalu Barun National Park (1995-1996). The global population is estimated to number 24,000-44,000 individuals. The maximum estimated population of Black Stork in Nepal is 1000 individuals. It is listed as a least concern species in the IUCN Red List category. Nepal Bird Red Data Book categorizes it as a vulnerable species. The legal status of this species in Nepal is Protected (Appendix I) under the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1973 and Appendix II in CITES law.
For More Information:- Inskipp et al. 2016.
