Ciconia ciconia
European white stork
(Also: white stork)

European white storks breed throughout Europe, North Africa, Asia Minor, and the Middle East, although they have a fairly fragmented distribution within that large area. Breeding populations have been extirpated from many areas of Europe historically. They migrate into tropical Africa, parts of the Middle East, and the Indian subcontinent during the winter. (BBC, 2003; Smithsonian National Zoological Park, 2001; Wattel et al., 1977)

White storks inhabit open wetlands, savannas, steppes, meadows, pastures, and agricultural fields throughout their range. They prefer areas with shallow, standing water that are not too cold or humid. Their habitat preferences coincide with human preferences for agricultural areas and settlements, resulting in a long-term commensalism. During the breeding season, white storks also seek out areas with suitable structures on which to build nests, especially sunny sites on tall trees or rooftops. They have also been known to nest on walls, stacks of hay and straw, ruins, chimneys, and artificial nesting platforms. (BBC, 2003; Berthold, Michael, and Querner, 2004; Smithsonian National Zoological Park, 2001; Wattel et al., 1977; Wikipedia, 2006)

White storks are large, wading birds. They are covered in white feathers, except for the black primary feathers on their wings. They have long, sharp bills, and slender legs that are bright orange. Hatchlings and young have black bills and yellowish gray legs. Adults stand from 100 to 115 cm stall, with half of that height being made up by the legs. Their wingspan is 155 to 165 cm. Males are larger, on average, than females but both sexes are identical in plumage. (BirdGuides, 1999; Latus and Kujawa, 2005; Wattel et al., 1977; Wikipedia, 2006)

The oldest recorded lifespan in the wild is 25 years, captive individuals may live up to 48 years. Mortality after the second year of life has been estimated at 21%, before 2 years of age it may be 30% or higher. (Wattel et al., 1977)

White storks generally occur in loose groups. During the breeding season white storks nest in small groups, but their nests are not close enough to be able to hear or see other pairs. Non-breeding individuals may occur in groups of up to 40 or 50 during breeding season. They form large groups of hundreds or thousands during migration and in their winter range. Their large size and carnivorous habits means that they must fly to foraging areas and that they need to take advantage of soaring and gliding whenever possible. They can sometimes be seen riding thermals and take advantage of patterns of rising air along migration routes. They are active during the day and not territorial. (Wattel et al., 1977)

White storks communicate through vocalizations and through postures and movements. Tactile communication occurs between the parents and the infant as well as between the male and the female during mating behaviors. For example, after 14 days old, young white storks tap their parents bills to beg for food. (Berthold, Michael, and Querner, 2004; Wikipedia, 2006)

White storks eat a variety of prey that includes insects, scorpions and spiders, frogs, tadpoles, fish, toads, rodents, lizards, snakes, crustaceans, earthworms, small mammals, and hatchlings or eggs of ground-nesting birds. Foraging Ciconia ciconia visually search for food while walking with their bill pointed toward the gound. When they detect prey, white storks jab their bill forward to grab their prey. In dry years they eat mainly insects and mice. In wet years they eat mainly aquatic animals. Plague insects, such as locusts (Schistocerca gregaria, Locustana pardalina, Dociostaurus maroccanus), armyworms (Spodoptera), and caterpillars (Laphygma exempta, Chloridea obsoleta), form an important part of the diet in areas or years when they become abundant. The primary prey taken varies greatly with regional abundance of prey. (BBC, 2003; Latus and Kujawa, 2005; Smithsonian National Zoological Park, 2001)

There are few predators of adult Ciconia ciconia. Nestlings and fledglings may be preyed on by hawks and eagles. White storks place their nests in high places, protecting their young and eggs from most terrestrial predators. They also vigorously defend the young. (BBC, 2003; BirdGuides, 1999)

White storks influence the populations of their prey items. They have a long-term association with humans in the Palearctic because they prefer similar areas to those preferred by humans for agriculture. (BBC, 2003; Living Lakes Partnership, 2005)

White storks often build their large stick nests on rooftops, chimneys, and electrical towers, which can be both dangerous and an annoyance. In some areas the presence of stork nests is seen as a sign of good luck and nests are tolerated. (BBC, 2003; Latus and Kujawa, 2005)

The benefits of Ciconia ciconia come largely from their aesthetic value. They also help to control populations of agricultural pests, such as grasshoppers. (Latus and Kujawa, 2005)

The breeding population of Ciconia ciconia declined during most of the twentieth century. This population decline was largely due to the destruction of suitable feeding habitats because of intensified agricultural development. However, white stork populations have rebounded by 20% in recent years because of land use policies, particularly in Spain and eastern European countries. Conservation efforts include preserving wetlands through the EcoFund Foundation and the Polish Society of Wildlife Friends. Preserving wetlands is not the only conservation effort. White storks can also build their huge nests on rooftops. In areas where they are not tolerated or nests are deemed dangerous, the Polish Pro-Natura Society removes and relocates them. White stork populations in Poland are especially healthy, it is said that 1 in every 4 white storks is "Polish." (BBC, 2003; Goutner, Liordos, and Tsachalidis, 1993; Living Lakes Partnership, 2005)

White storks are important cultural icons in Europe. The arrival of a white stork was once thought to herald the arrival of a new baby. They are also the official birds of Lithuania and part of the symbol for the city of The Hague, Netherlands.