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White Stork
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
The White Stork (Ciconia ciconia) is a large wading bird in the stork family Ciconiidae. It is a widespread but declining species which breeds in the warmer parts of Europe but recent sightings and signs of increasing have been found in Britain. It is a strong migrant, wintering in tropical Africa.
This is a broad winged soaring bird, which relies on moving between thermals of hot air for sustained long distance flight. Since thermals only form over land, storks, together with large raptors, must cross the Mediterranean at the narrowest points, and many hundreds can be seen going through the straits of Gibraltar and the Bosphorus.
The White Stork is a huge bird, 1 m tall with a 2 m wingspan. It is completely white except for the black wing flight feathers and its red bill and legs. It walks slowly and steadily on the ground. Like all storks, it flies with its neck outstretched.
These storks breed in open farmland areas with access to marshy wetlands. It builds a stick nest in trees, on buildings, or special platforms. Because it is viewed as bird of good luck, it is not persecuted, and it often nests close to human habitation. In southern Europe, storks' nests can often be seen on churches and other buildings. It often forms small colonies.
The decline in the north of its range may be due to the drainage of wetlands and collisions with overhead power lines.
A quarter of the world population of White Stork breeds in Poland[2]. Approximately 13,000 White Stork pairs bred in Lithuania, the fifth largest population and highest known density of this species in the world [citation needed]. But in Latvia lives around 12,000 White Stork pairs.
The White Stork, like most of its relatives, feeds mainly on frogs and large insects, but also young birds, lizards and rodents.
This stork is almost silent except for the noisy mutual bill-clattering when adults meet at the nest.
The White Stork is one of the species to which the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) applies.
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White Stork in culture
According to mythology, the 'stork' is responsible for bringing babies to new parents. This story probably came about because White Storks have a habit of nesting on chimney stacks in urban areas, so they are often seen around human habitation.
Lithuanians and Poles believe that storks bring harmony to a family on whose property they nest. The White Stork is the national bird of Lithuania. It is also - set against a yellow and green background - the symbol of the city of The Hague, The Netherlands.
Source:Wikipedia |
markula, Argus has marked this note useful
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| To markula: thnx :) | shal |
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08-21 23:34 |
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Hello Vishal!
Excellent shot of this beautiful bird. As your note mentions, white stork is a very significant symbol in Poland. To me is not just any interesting bird. Apart from household pets it's probably the most significant animal of my childhood. As a kid I was always happy to see storks coming back from Africa, because it was the symbol of the coming spring. In your picture I like the excellent exposure with well detailed highlights, nice pose of the bird and good contrast. Congratulations,
Mark
- Argus
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2611 W: 133 N: 7494]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(23373) - [2006-08-22 9:56]
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Hello Vishal,
The White Stork no longer breeds in Sweden but efforts are being made to re-establish it in Scania where it was quite common a hundred years ago. I like the dark BG, comp. and clarity of your shot. TFS
Regards, Ivan
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- Etka
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 96 W: 0 N: 60]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif)
(506) - [2007-08-28 3:08]
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Witaj!
Sfotografowales pieknego bociana. Wspaniale ujecie. Pieknie odzwierciedlone kolory i detale.
I like White Storks very.
Gratuluje!
Etka
