Are those storcks?

The large black and white birds you see circling above are swallowtail kites. We have them here in St. Cloud, usually see them in pairs or threes. They are in the hawk family I believe. I think they are so graceful and pretty.

I believe they are Wood storks. Also info @
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wood_stork

Here is a link that might be useful: wood stork

Yes, it is swallow-tail kite! Found pics in Internet. Thank you, bunnyhouse!
Maria

Sorry early bird. I read your post too quickly. I thought you wanted ids on the pictures.

The swallowtail kites are not likely after your baby mockers, earlybird. They eat on the wing and usually eat large insects, small snakes, lizards and things they snatch out of the treetops.

They are without a doubt my favorite bird of prey, having the most beautiful markings and expressive faces of any, to my mind.

And here is a shot of a STK eating...something GREEN...while flying. (Hopefully a Cuban treefrog!)

Your wood stork photos are beautiful! Magnificent big ol' birds! Ya gotta love 'em! And brown thrashers are very common throughout most of the state. They are first cousins to mockingbirds. But many people never notice them, and since they don't normally come to feeders, they can be overlooked. (Mine have been coming to my feeders, however, ever since I started to use a mix with fruits and nuts in it.)

Marcia

Fantastic photos! I really had to study that first one. To me it looked like each bird was hanging on to the other bird's legs. Took my hubby to point out that it was just an illusion!

And those kite pics are stunning, Marcia! What a gorgeous bird.

The brown thrashers at my house scratch around in the flower beds and they love to take birdbaths!

~Betsy

Here is another picture how they stand. Funny.


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See the way that left leg is flexed? Storks will also sit on the ground with both legs in that position...very unusual habit for a bird.