Bird · GBIF taxon 2481912
White Stork
Ciconia ciconiaAlso known as European White Stork
The White Stork is a tall white wading bird with black flight feathers, long red legs, and a pointed red bill. It circles on rising air during migration and builds massive stick nests on trees, rooftops, poles, and purpose-made platforms.
Soaring MigrantWetland ForagerPlatform Nester
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Grasshoppers
- Frogs
- Voles
Predators
- White-tailed Eagles
- Red foxes
- Stone martens
ThreatsWetland drainage, power-line collision and electrocution, pesticide exposure, drought, and loss of feeding habitat
HabitatsWet meadows, marshes, floodplains, pasture, farmland, shallow wetlands, and settlements with nest platforms
Life spanCommonly survives for two decades, with exceptional wild birds living much longer
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyCiconiidae
- SpeciesCiconia ciconia
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Remain outside nest structures and never stand beneath unstable sticks, utility equipment, or defensive adults.
Responsible observation
- Flight: Look for a long neck extended ahead and long legs trailing behind.
- Thermals: Scan rising columns of birds from a fixed viewpoint during migration.
- Nest: Give occupied platforms generous distance and do not approach fallen young.
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