Black Stork

The black stork (Ciconia nigra) is a majestic bird, cloaked in a glossy black plumage with a purplish-green sheen, contrasting starkly with its white underparts. This large avian measures an impressive 95 to 100 cm from beak tip to tail end, with a wingspan stretching between 145 to 155 cm. It stands tall on long, red legs and navigates its environment with a long, pointed red beak. Both sexes are similar in appearance, though males are typically larger.

Identification Tips

Adult black storks can be identified by their black plumage with a metallic sheen, white belly, and red extremities. Juveniles are similar but have browner, less glossy feathers with pale tips on their scapulars, wing, and upper tail coverts. Their legs, bill, and the skin around their eyes are greyish green. When in flight, the black stork's neck is outstretched, showcasing its impressive wingspan.

Habitat

The black stork favors wooded wetlands, rivers, and inland waters, preferring secluded areas away from human disturbance. It breeds in large marshy areas interspersed with woodlands and is also found in hilly and mountainous regions with sufficient water sources.

Distribution

This widespread species breeds across Europe, particularly in Portugal, Spain, and central and eastern parts, extending across the Palearctic to the Pacific Ocean. It is a long-distance migrant, with European populations wintering in Sub-Saharan Africa and Asian populations in the Indian subcontinent.

Behaviour

The black stork is a solitary and elusive bird, often seen alone or in pairs. It is known for its shy and wary nature, avoiding close contact with humans. During migration, it may form flocks of up to 100 individuals.

Song & Calls

The black stork has a repertoire of calls, including a loud "chee leee" and a hissing warning. Males produce a series of squealing calls during courtship displays. Bill-clattering is performed by adults during mating rituals or when agitated, and by young when excited.

Breeding

Breeding occurs from April to May in the Northern Hemisphere. The black stork builds large nests in forest trees or on cliffs and lays two to five greyish-white eggs. Both parents share incubation duties, and fledging takes 60 to 71 days.

Similar Species

The black stork may be confused with Abdim's stork (Ciconia abdimii), which is smaller with a green bill and legs, and a white rump and lower back.

Diet and Feeding

Its diet consists mainly of fish, amphibians, small reptiles, and invertebrates. The black stork forages in shallow water, often shading the water with its wings to hunt.

Conservation status

The black stork is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, but its status is uncertain. While it has a large range, it is not abundant and appears to be declining in some areas, such as India and China, but increasing in others like the Iberian Peninsula. Conservation measures include the Conservation Action Plan for African black storks by Wetlands International. It is also protected under the African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement and CITES.