Ciconia ciconia - White Stork
Feather characters. Barbule length varies from medium until long (0.9-2.5 mm). Barbules are filamentous without any pigmented parts. Borders between cells are visible, but hardly swollen and thus too small to qualify as nodes. These nodal structures (9-14 per mm) have about the same size along the entire length of the barbules, only slightly decreasing towards the tip. Villi are absent and internodes are straight. Short prongs may occur along the entire length and on both sides of the pennulum, but they are unequally distributed. Their length varies; in some preparations, only minute prongs are found. The longest prongs are longer than 0.01 mm, but shorter than half the length of the adjacent internode. Occasionally prongs are asymmetric.
Field characters. Size 100-115 cm. Weight 3473 g (2275-4400) (Dunning, 1993). Easily distinguished by white plumage with black flight feathers and scapulars, and long red bill and legs. Perches on trees, buildings, etc., often resting on one leg; walks sedately with neck upright and slightly foreward. Flies with neck stretched out and drooping slightly, legs extending well beyond the tail; flight slow and with even wing-beats; soars on thermals with rigid wings. Juveniles have black on wings browner and bill and legs brownish red.
Voice. Silent outside the breeding season; bill-clattering on nest.
Distribution. Decrease in northern and western Europe but very common breeding bird in eastern and southern parts of Europe. Map: see MapIt.
Habitat. Builds nest on tall trees, towers, chimneys, ruins, and specially erected platforms. Prefers open wetlands, grasslands, marshes, steppes, etc.
Food. Diet includes a wide variety of animals, such as insects, mice, amphibians, lizards, snakes, small mammals and earthworms. Takes prey mainly whilst walking with head and bill pointing downward.