Foraging Behavior and Population Dynamics of Ciconia boyciana in Two Areas of Poyang Lake during the Wintering Period

【Objective】The purpose of the present study was to explore the foraging strategies of oriental storks（ Ciconia boyciana） under different conditions, and their population distribution in two areas of Poyang Lake, so as to provide a theoretical basis for the protection of this species.【Method】From December 2021 to March 2022, the foraging behavior of oriental storks in Poyang Lake National Nature Reserve and Wuxing Siberian Crane Conservation District was observed using the focal animal observation method. In 2015–2021 and 2012–2022, the population of oriental storks in East Poyang Lake National Wetland Park（PLNWP） and Nanji Wetland National Nature Reserve（NWNNR） at Poyang Lake was investigated in January of each year.【Result】The mean water depth of oriental storks habitat was（17.22 ± 6.28） cm（n = 754）. The water depths in level Ⅲ and level Ⅱ were the most common depth used by oriental storks, accounting for 51.33% and 35.94%, respectively. The storks' foraging water depth was（14.64 ± 6.26） cm（n = 669）, and the