Dave Taylor's African Safari: Trophic Level III: Omnivores and Small Carnivores - White Stork

Trophic Level III: Omnivores and Small Carnivores
White Stork
Page 13

Cionia cionia

Length: 1.02m (3 feet 5 inches)

Status: Common. Numbers are declining however, especially in Europe, due to widespread use of pesticides. In the past, their numbers in Europe were thought to have been close to half a million. Today, only a few thousand remain. A few hundred thousand still live in Africa.

Habitat: White storks are found where there are open grasslands, savannas and lakesides. They are also found around farms. Their range extends from Europe to southern Africa.

As a rule, the species avoids dense forests.

Food: White storks eat a variety of small animals found in their habitat. Included in their diet are insects (especially locusts), earthworms, lizards, snakes, small birds, rodents, frogs, crabs, and fish. Grass fires will attract several birds. They will walk along in front of the flames picking off fleeing insects, small mammals and other animals.

White storks feed while walking. They grab anything they stumble across that they consider edible. Prey is seized by a forward thrust of the beak.

Social System/Behavior: Like other storks, there is no sexual dimorphism. Both sexes look alike and are about the same size. In Europe, this stork is a favorite due to its habit of nesting on buildings, churches and homes. German folklore says that having a stork’s nest is a sign of good luck.

Storks are migratory and follow established routes to and from Africa. Many follow the Nile River valley north and south. When migrating, white storks soar at great altitudes, as high as 4 500 meters (14,700 feet). Flocks of up to 40,000 have been reported.

In March and April, male storks begin arriving at their old nest sites. Females arrive a few days later. Should a younger female try to take over the nest of another female, the two will fight. Little harm is done to either female and the original nest-owner usually wins.

Storks are sexually mature at three or four years old.

Nests are increased each year and may become impressive structures as new layers are added. Some have been found weighing 100 kilograms (220 pounds) or more. In the Serengeti-Mara, nests are in trees. White storks nest either alone or in small groups. Females lay their eggs in two day intervals. Usually, the female lays four eggs. She sits on them at night while the male incubates them for most of the day. Eggs hatch in 32 days.

As with other storks, both parents feed the young. Many of the young storks born in Africa will remain there for their entire lives.

Predators: Jackals, servals and leopards will occasionally make prey of storks that are sick, injured or distracted. Most storks lose their lives as juveniles. Bad storms can blow storks off their migration routes, sometimes with fatal results.

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