Fun Facts!

It is believed that storks bring good luck!

The birds help control pests by eating insects and other small unwanted animals.

The white stork is the national bird of Poland and Lithuania.

European white stork nests can reach up to seven feet across, and are made from sticks, grass, paper and other found items.

European White Stork

Ciconia ciconia

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION

European white storks have white feathers on their head and body and their wings are black. Their long bills and tall legs are red orange. The birds are about 40 inches long from beak to tail, and they weigh between 5-10 pounds. Their wingspan is 61-65 inches.

HABITAT

Most European white storks migrate to Africa and India, returning to nest in Europe and western Asia. They prefer open lands without tall trees or thick vegetation, usually in or near wetlands. They sometimes nest in urban areas.

DIET IN THE WILD

They eat a variety of animals, from insects and earthworms to lizards, snakes, and frogs, and will also eat small rodents. European white storks find their food almost exclusively by sight.

BEHAVIOR

European white storks migrate for long distances from their nesting places in Europe and Asia to their overwintering sites in Africa and India.

STATUS IN THE WILD / CONSERVATION EFFORTS

Threatened in their European nesting sites and their European overwintering location. Loss of habitat due to urbanization is the main cause in Europe. The white storks are extensively hunted in Africa, and conservation programs are being put coordinated.

LIFE SPAN

These storks can live for about 25 years in the wild and longer in captivity.