Black stork facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Black stork |
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| A black stork in Kruger National Park, South Africa | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Ciconia
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| Species: |
nigra
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| Where black storks live: Breeding Resident Passage Non-breeding | |
| Synonyms | |
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Ardea nigra Linnaeus, 1758 |
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The black stork (Ciconia nigra) is a large bird from the stork family. It was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758. These storks are about 95 to 100 cm (37 to 39 inches) long. Their wings can spread out to 145 to 155 cm (57 to 61 inches).
Adult black storks are mostly black with a shiny purple-green color. They have white bellies, long red legs, and a long, pointed red beak. Black storks live in many places but are not very common. They breed in parts of Europe and across Asia to the Pacific Ocean.
Most black storks fly long distances for winter. European storks spend winter in warm Africa. Asian storks fly to the Indian subcontinent. When they migrate, they avoid flying over large parts of the Mediterranean Sea. Instead, they fly over land or narrow sea passages. Some black storks in Southern Africa do not migrate.
Unlike the white stork, the black stork is a shy bird. You usually see them alone or in pairs. They prefer marshy areas, rivers, or other inland waters. They eat amphibians, small fish, and insects. They walk slowly in shallow water to catch their food.
Black storks build their nests in tall forest trees. They also nest on large rocks or under cliffs in mountains. The female lays two to five grey-white eggs. Both parents take turns sitting on the eggs for 32 to 38 days. The young birds learn to fly after 60 to 71 days.
The black stork is listed as a species of "least concern" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. This means they are not currently in danger of extinction. However, their numbers are decreasing in some areas like India and China. They are increasing in other places, such as Spain and Portugal. Many groups are working to protect the black stork.
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About the Black Stork
The black stork gets its name from its black feathers. The word "stork" comes from an old English word. It is related to a German word that means "stork."
Black storks are part of the Ciconia group. This group includes seven types of storks. They all have straight beaks and mostly black and white feathers. Scientists once thought the black stork was most closely related to the white stork. But genetic studies show it's an older type of stork in its group.
What Black Storks Look Like
The black stork is a large bird. It can stand up to 102 cm (40 inches) tall. It has long red legs, a long neck, and a long, pointed red beak. Its feathers are black with a shiny purple-green color. Its lower chest, belly, and underwing feathers are white.
The feathers on its chest are long and shaggy. They form a "ruff" that the stork uses in its courtship dances. Black storks have brown eyes. They also have bare red skin around their eyes. Males and females look the same, but males are usually bigger.
When they get new feathers in spring, their black feathers look even shinier. Like all storks, they fly with their necks stretched out. They walk slowly and steadily on the ground.
Young black storks look like adults. But their black feathers are browner and less shiny. Their legs, beak, and skin around their eyes are grey-green.
Where Black Storks Live
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In summer, black storks live from Eastern Asia to Central Europe. They are found as far north as Estonia. They also live in Spain and Portugal. These storks are migratory, meaning they fly to warmer places for winter. They spend winter in tropical Africa and Asia.
Some black storks in Southern Africa do not migrate. This group lives in eastern South Africa, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Eswatini, and Botswana.
Most European black storks fly to Africa for winter. Storks from western Europe fly south through Spain. Others fly through Turkey and the Middle East. Those flying through Spain spend winter in West Africa. Those flying through the Middle East go to places like Ethiopia and the Central African Republic.
Black storks from western Asia migrate to northern and northeastern India. Storks from eastern Russia and China spend winter in southern China. They are also seen in Myanmar, Thailand, and Laos.
Black Stork Homes
The black stork likes wooded areas more than the white stork. They breed in large, marshy wetlands. These areas have forests with pine trees or broad-leaved trees. They also live in hills and mountains with many small streams. They usually live near ponds, rivers, lakes, and other freshwater places.
Black storks avoid being too close to people. In India, they spend winter near reservoirs or rivers. These places have nearby bushes or forests where the storks can rest at night. In southern Africa, they are found in shallow water in rivers or lakes.
The black stork has returned to breed in Belgium, Luxembourg, and France. Their numbers seem to be growing in Spain and Portugal. They are rare visitors to the British Isles. Sightings have become more common since the 1970s. This is because their breeding areas are moving north.
Migration Journeys
Black storks migrate from early August to October. Most leave in September. Some storks in Spain and southern Africa do not migrate. They might just wander around their non-breeding areas.
Black storks are soaring birds. They use warm air currents (thermals) to fly long distances. Thermals only form over land. So, black storks must cross the Mediterranean Sea at its narrowest points. Many fly south through the Bosphorus, Sinai, and Gibraltar.
The western migration route is about 5,667 km (3,521 miles) long. The eastern route is about 7,000 km (4,300 miles) long. It takes them about 37 days for the western route and 80 days for the eastern route. The western route goes over the Rock of Gibraltar to Morocco. Many birds fly around the Sahara Desert near the coast. About 10% of western storks fly between Sicily (Italy) and Tunisia.
Spain has important places where black storks stop during migration. These include Monfragüe National Park and Doñana National Park.
Black Stork Behavior
The black stork is a shy bird. It tries to avoid people. You usually see it alone or in pairs. But when they migrate or in winter, they can gather in groups of up to 100 birds.
Black storks make different calls. Their main call sounds like a loud breath, "chee leee." They make a hissing sound if they feel threatened. Males make long, squealing calls during courtship.
Adult storks rarely clatter their beaks when they meet at the nest. They might do it as part of their mating ritual or when they are angry. Young storks clatter their beaks when they are excited.
The "up-down display" is how storks interact with each other. A stork lowers its body and quickly bobs its head up and down. It shows off the white parts of its feathers. This display is used as a greeting. It is also used as a threat display. But because these storks are solitary, this threat display is rarely seen.
Breeding and Nests
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Black storks in the Northern Hemisphere breed between April and May. Eggs are usually laid in late April. In southern Africa, they breed from September to March. This is when water prey is easier to catch.
Mating pairs perform special aerial dances. They fly together over their nest area. One bird spreads its white tail feathers. The pair calls to each other. These flights are hard to see because they nest in thick forests.
The nest is large. It is made of sticks and twigs. Sometimes they use large branches. Nests are built high up, from 4 to 25 meters (13 to 82 feet) high. Black storks like to build nests in forest trees with big tops. They build far from the main tree trunk. They usually choose places away from people.
They mostly choose deciduous trees (trees that lose their leaves). But they also use conifer trees (like pine trees). Studies show they prefer old, tall trees. These trees are usually at least 80 years old. This shows how important it is to protect old forests. In Spain, they nest in pine and cork oak trees.
In mountains, they nest on cliffs, large rocks, or in caves. Black storks usually build their nests at least 1 km (0.6 miles) apart. Even where there are many storks. New nests can be small, but old nests can be 1 to 2 meters (3 to 7 feet) wide.
In southern Africa, black storks might use nests built by other birds. They often reuse their nests each year. They fix them with earth and grass. They line them with leaves, moss, grass, animal fur, paper, and rags.
A female lays two to five eggs. Sometimes even six. The eggs are large and oval, grey-white in color. They get dirty during incubation. Eggs are laid every two days.
Both parents share the job of incubating the eggs. This starts after the first or second egg is laid. Incubation takes 32 to 38 days. The young birds start flying by the end of July. They fledge (learn to fly) in 60 to 71 days. After that, they join the adults at their feeding spots. They still return to the nest for two more weeks to be fed and sleep.
At least one parent stays at the nest for two to three weeks after the eggs hatch. This is to protect the young. Both parents feed the young by bringing up food onto the nest floor. Sometimes, if there is not enough food, parents might kill the weakest chick. This helps the stronger chicks survive. This is rare to see because storks are shy.
Studies show that about 20% of chicks live long enough to breed. About 10% live past 10 years. About 5% live past 20 years. Some black storks in zoos have lived for 36 years!
What Black Storks Eat
Black storks mostly eat fish. This includes small carps, pikes, eels, and perches. They also eat amphibians, small reptiles, crabs, small mammals, and other birds. They also eat insects like water beetles and their larvae. They also eat snails, molluscs, and earthworms.
They usually look for food in fresh water. But sometimes they search on dry land. The black stork walks slowly and patiently in shallow water. It often hunts alone. Sometimes it hunts in a small group if there is a lot of food. They have been seen shading the water with their wings while hunting.
In India, they often hunt with other birds. These include white storks and cranes. Black storks also follow large animals like deer and livestock. They probably eat insects and small animals that the larger animals stir up.
Black Stork Conservation
Since 1998, the black stork has been listed as a species of "least concern" by the IUCN Red List. This means they are not in immediate danger. They live in a very large area. Their population is not thought to have dropped by 30% in ten years.
However, the overall number of black storks is not clear. They are widespread but not common anywhere. Black stork numbers have gone down in western Europe for many years. They no longer breed in places like the Netherlands and Scandinavia. The population in India, where many spend winter, is also declining.
Their habitat is changing quickly in eastern Europe and Asia. Many groups are working to protect them. For example, Wetlands International has a plan to improve wintering conditions for storks that breed in Europe. The black stork is also protected by international agreements.
Hunters threaten black storks in some countries. This includes parts of southern Europe and Asia. Hunting might have caused them to disappear from some breeding areas. In 2005, black storks were released in Italy. This was an effort to bring them back to the Ticino River valley.
Since October 2021, the black stork has been classified as "Moderately Depleted" by the IUCN.
