IDENTITY RECORD

White stork

SCIENTIFIC NAME

Ciconia ciconia

DescrIption

A large bird in the wader family, I measure around 100 cm tall and have a wingspan of between 155 and 165 cm. I weigh around three kg. My black and white plumage and red beak are well known by the people of Alsace: it’s me who delivers babies!

Behavior

Diet

I feed on frogs, lizards, micro-mammals, fish as well as earthworms, insects and vipers.

REPRODUCTION

I always nest high up and lay an average of four eggs in my nest, which hatch about 30 days later.

Lifespan

I can live for up to 25-30 years.

Did you know ?

A loud species, the noisy clattering of my bill can be heard when I’m close to my nest.

Where and when can you find me in the reserve ?

Habitat

I love covered areas with unobstructed views like wet meadows, which I scour looking for food.

When to spot me

I can spend the entire year living in the same place providing I have enough food, but I am in principle a migratory bird. I spend my winters in Africa.

Conservation status

• Red list of nesting birds in metropolitan France: Least Concern (LC).
• Red list of endangered nesting birds in Alsace: Least Concern (LC).
• Protected in France