Black Stork

The Black Stork (Ciconia nigra) is a large wading bird in the stork family Ciconiidae.

It is a widespread species that breeds in the warmer parts of Europe, predominantly in central and eastern regions. It is a strong migrant, wintering in tropical Africa. However, the Spanish population is resident.

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 Black Storks can be seen going through the Bosphorus.

This is a huge bird, nearly 1 m tall with a 1.8 m wingspan. It is all black except for the white belly and axillaries, and its red bill and legs. It walks slowly and steadily on the ground. Like all storks, it flies with its neck outstretched.

It breeds in large marshy wetlands with interspersed coniferous woodland. It builds a stick nest high in trees. This is a shy and wary species, unlike the closely related White Stork.

The Black Stork, like most of its relatives, feeds mainly on frogs and large insects.

This stork has a rasping call, but rarely indulges in mutual bill-clattering when adults meet at the nest.

Black Stork

Black Stork

Black Stork, young

Black Stork, young