An iconic bird, deeply ingrained in folklore and known for its striking appearance and migratory habits. This large bird is often celebrated for its role in European culture, where it is cherished as a harbinger of spring and a symbol of fertility.
Physically, the White stork is impressive: standing up to a meter tall, with a wingspan that can reach over two meters. Its white plumage, black flight feathers, and red bill and legs make it easily identifiable. The White Stork’s conical bill is adapted for a variety of foraging methods, including probing the ground for invertebrates and small vertebrates such as rodents, amphibians, reptiles, and small birds.
One of the most fascinating aspects of the White stork is its migratory behavior. Each year, these birds undertake a formidable journey of up to 10,000 kilometers (about 6,200 miles) between their breeding grounds in Europe and wintering areas in Sub-Saharan Africa. They navigate using a combination of thermal currents and instinct, gliding on air thermals to conserve energy, which is a majestic sight often depicted in nature documentaries.
White storks are social creatures, particularly during the breeding season. They are known to form large colonies, which sometimes include hundreds of nests in close proximity. These nests are architectural feats, large structures of sticks built atop trees, buildings, and other tall structures. Over the years, these nests become massive as they are continuously rebuilt and reused, often by the same pair of storks.
Contrary to many birds, White storks have an almost completely silent voice box and do not call or sing. Instead, they communicate through an array of bill-clattering displays, which serve as greetings between mates and a sign of territorial presence. This behavior is particularly pronounced during the breeding season and is accompanied by a variety of postures and mutual preening.
Distribution
Afghanistan
Albania
Algeria
Angola
Antigua & Barbuda
Armenia
Official estimate
Austria
Azerbaijan
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Belarus
Official estimate
Belgium
Benin
Bosnia And Herz.
Botswana
Bulgaria
Official estimate
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cameroon
Central Af. Rep.
Chad
China
Congo-Brazzaville
Croatia
Cyprus
Czechia
Côte D’ivoire
DR Congo (Kinshasa)
Denmark
Official estimate
Djibouti
Egypt
Eritrea
Estonia
Eswatini
Ethiopia
Finland
France
Official estimate
Gabon
Gambia
Georgia
Germany
Official estimate
Ghana
Gibraltar
Greece
Official estimate
Guinea-Bissau
Guinea
Hungary
Official estimate
Iceland
India
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Latvia
Official estimate
Lebanon
Lesotho
Liberia
Libya
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Official estimate
Luxembourg
Malawi
Mali
Malta
Mauritania
Moldova
Montenegro
Morocco
Mozambique
Namibia
Nepal
Netherlands
Official estimate
Niger
Nigeria
North Macedonia
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Poland
Official estimate
Portugal
Official estimate
Qatar
Romania
Official estimate
Russia
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Rwanda
Saint Helena
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Serbia
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Slovakia
Slovenia
Somalia
South Africa
South Sudan
Spain
Official estimate
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Sweden
Switzerland
Official estimate
Syria
São Tomé & Príncipe
Tajikistan
Tanzania
Thailand
Togo
Tunisia
Turkey
Official estimate
Turkmenistan
UAE
Uganda
Ukraine
Official estimate
United Kingdom
Uzbekistan
Yemen
Zambia
ZimbabweAnything we've missed?
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Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd / Flock
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
