A Port Douglas-bred black-necked stork has flown the coop, heading south to the Gold Coast.

Jewel was born at the Wildlife Habitat and has since taken residence at the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary on the Gold Coast.

Wildlife carer, Clare Anderson says the park has successfully bred 13 black neck storks, including two last year.

"Because we are the only Australian park breeding them in captivity, there aren't a lot in the zoo industry," she says.

"They're incredibly difficult to breed apparently. We don't think so but every other zoo does."

Jewel was born to father James, who was taken in as a mature bird when he was rescued in 1996, and mother Jabby who has been at the park since 1992.

Ms Anderson the storks are a loving couple.  

"They definitely like one another," she says.

"One of the major things is that in our facility these birds can free-fly.

"We think having the freedom to exhibit natural behaviours has been key to our breeding success."

Carers hope Jewel, who was born in 2012 will someday form another pair to breed in captivity.

"The aim for us is to find another two [storks] that are compatible," Ms Anderson says.  

Ms Anderson says black-necked storks mature around three years of age and have a life expectancy of roughly 35 years.

Black-necked storks are found across south and south-east Asia as well as northern Australia.