The family Ciconiidae includes 2 species found in North America.

Storks have very large bills and long legs. They probe slowly for food in shallow water. Storks are capable of flying long distances. The appear as a "kettle" of birds, rather than forming a "V" formation. Wood Storks are highly colonial with 5-25 nests per tree, occasionally touching. Colonies will skip breeding due to lack of food, and will desert eggs and young if prolonged rains occur in dry season; such rains preclude effective foraging because water table does not drop and fish consequently do not become concentrated in relatively small pools. Forages by moving open bill in water until contact with prey item triggers rapid bill-snap reflex; sighting of prey not required. Often shuffles feet while feeding, presumably to flush fish. Both sexes incubate. Clutch size is usually three eggs. Incubation takes 28-32 days. Young are able to fly after 55-60 days. Both sexes tend young.