White Stork

Ciconia ciconia

Wingspan

155–215cm

Body length

100–115cm

Weight

2,300–4,500g

Profile

Life expectancy
Clutch size: 3–5 eggs
Global status
Activity
Migration

Identification

In flight the neck is stretched straight forward and the long legs backwards. This distinguishes it from herons. Black flight feathers contrast with the white body; adults have red bills and legs.

Colours

Plumage

Eyes

Legs & feet

Adult

White plumage with black flight feathers, long red legs and a red bill. In flight the neck and legs stay outstretched.

Behaviour

When soaring it uses thermals and can thus cover great distances with few wingbeats. At the nest its bill-clattering is particularly conspicuous. It often forages by striding over short grass or wet areas.

Breeding & rearing

Nests on roofs, trees or pylons can grow very large through repeated additions. Both parents feed the young. These stay in the nest for about two months and only become fully independent of their parents later.

Diet

Prey examples

Voles

Frogs

Grasshoppers

Earthworms

The White Stork gathers small mammals, amphibians, large insects and earthworms in meadows and shallow water. It also takes reptiles, fish, occasionally young birds and carrion.

Hunting

Hunting on foot Scavenging

It strides slowly across meadows or through shallow water, searching for small animals. When it spots prey, it strikes precisely with its long bill.

Distribution

Range

Europe, Africa & Asia

Status in Germany

Breeding birdWinter visitorPassage migrant

Habitat

Wet meadows, pastures, floodplains and open farmland with easily reachable food.

Open meadows, fields and varied hedgerow landscape — Meadows & fields

Large lake with reed-fringed shores and adjacent forest — Lakes & rivers