White Stork

An iconic European bird often associated with good luck. It is a massive bird with snow-white plumage and black flight feathers. It has long, bright red legs and a red bill. It is a long-distance migrant that winters in Africa. They depend on open wetlands and damp meadows to forage for food.

Storks often nest on human structures like chimneys and church towers. They build enormous stick nests that are reused every year. They lack a voice box and communicate primarily through clattering of their bills. This rhythmic sound is made by snapping their mandibles together. Storks have specific migration routes to make use of tailwinds, saving energy in a long-distance flight.