Some of you have good eyes and noticed that his feet are out in front of him, making it appear he is on his knees. I've never seen this before. Maybe he is double-jointed? One of you observed that maybe they are ankles not knees. Still pretty unusual. Here are the before and after shots.
Not 'maybe", the bones ARE his ankles! Knees bend 'correctly', are under the wings. Thighs are the '2nd joints' totally hidden under feathers. Think roasted turkey!
I didn't see anything unusual in your photos. Like the others, I've never seen one sit like that. I took these in The Villages in January this year. You certainly can't call these birds beautiful, until they are in flight. Enjoy.
I hate to break the news to you folks but I believe all birds legs bend this way. Check out the posting in today's UHH down the list a little called Inca Dove. That dove's legs bend the same way as the Wood Stork.
As far as Wood Storks are concerned, about 40 years ago there was a breeding colonly of Wood Storks on Jeckyl Island in sourthern coastal Georgia. Seems to me there were about 20-30 birds in the colony. Don't know if they are still there.
Yes I have seen egrets and herons sitting the same way. It is fairly common. Some smaller birds do it also, esp. those with long legs.
Forgot, when they sit down all the way, as in on a nest the legs of all birds fold like that. It is just some birds with longer legs the next section of leg is visible and others it is hidden in the feathers a flesh of the main body.
I didn't see anything unusual in your photos. Like the others, I've never seen one sit like that. I took these in The Villages in January this year. You certainly can't call these birds beautiful, until they are in flight. Enjoy.