Wood Storks (Mycteria americana) were followed (n = 269) from their co
lony in east-central Georgia to foraging sites to examine the foraging
travel strategies of these birds. Most sites were relatively close to
the colony (median distance = 8.8 km) requiring short travel times (m
edian time = 22.52 min). Directness ratios (total distance flown/direc
t distance) for 89 mapped foraging flights suggested that storks hew r
elatively straight paths to feeding areas. Comparison of flight (air)
speeds determined from this data with speeds determined from energetic
s models suggested that storks minimized flight energy costs rather th
at maximized range during foraging travel. Estimated energetic costs o
f flapping and soaring modes of flight were 204.8 W and 18.1 W, respec
tively. Seasonal analyses indicated that storks employed soaring fligh
t more frequently in the latter half of the breeding season when they
traveled to more distant sites. Energetic costs did not vary seasonall
y due to the increase in use of the energetically conservative soaring
mode of travel on the longer flights. Observations at the colony indi
cated that foraging trip durations were constant throughout the season
and that parents met increased nestling food demand by increasing the
frequency of foraging trips.