The black stork is a large migratory bird, notable for its mostly black plumage with green and purple iridescence on the upper parts, while its underbelly is white. It has long, slender, bright red legs and a long red beak, which it uses to catch fish, amphibians, insects, and small mammals. Unlike the more common white stork, the black stork is much more reclusive and prefers living in wild, undisturbed environments. It is less social, typically avoiding human presence, and flies with its neck extended forward and broad wings spread wide.

Scientific Classification:

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Aves
• Order: Ciconiiformes
• Family: Ciconiidae
• Genus: Ciconia
• Species: Ciconia nigra

Dimensions and Weight: The black stork measures between 95 and 100 cm in length, with a wingspan of 180-205 cm. Adults weigh between 2.5 and 3.5 kg. Its size, combined with long wings, allows it to fly efficiently, using thermal air currents during long migrations.

Habitat: The black stork prefers to live in wetlands such as rivers, lakes, marshes, and dense woodlands with access to open water, where it can hunt for its prey. Compared to the white stork, the black stork is much more selective about its habitat, favoring remote, undisturbed areas. It is found across much of central and eastern Europe, as well as Asia, and migrates to sub-Saharan Africa during the winter months.

Behavior and Habits: The black stork is a solitary bird or forms pairs during the breeding season. It builds large nests in trees or on rocks in remote areas using sticks and vegetation. The female lays 3 to 5 eggs, which are incubated for about 30 days. Both parents participate in feeding the chicks, which fledge after about 70 days. During migration, black storks form smaller flocks than white storks, and their migration is equally long and challenging, often crossing deserts and seas.

Dangers, Enemies, and Threats: Predators of black stork chicks and eggs include birds of prey and mammals. However, the main threats to this species come from human activities, particularly habitat destruction due to agriculture, deforestation, and dam construction, which reduce the availability of suitable nesting and feeding sites. Water pollution also threatens the availability of prey for this species.

Protected or Endangered Species: The black stork is considered a protected species in many parts of Europe due to declining populations in some areas of its range. It is listed in the EU Birds Directive and the Bern Convention, which aim to preserve its natural habitats. Conservation efforts include protecting wetlands and mature forests crucial for breeding and feeding, and minimizing human disturbance at nesting sites.

References__________________________________________________________________________

Puerta ML, Munõz Pulido R, Huecas V, Abelenda M. Hematology and blood chemistry of chicks of white and black storks (Ciconia ciconia and Ciconia nigra). Comp Biochem Physiol A Comp Physiol. 1989;94(2):201-4. doi: 10.1016/0300-9629(89)90535-5.

Abstract 1. The hematology and blood chemistry of 15-68-day-old chicks have been studied. 2. Red cell numbers (1,900,000/mm3), hemoglobin content (11.5 g/dl) and hematocrit (37.5) were similar in both species of storks. 3. Total numbers of leucocytes (63,000/mm3) were similar in both species, whilst differential leucocyte counts were not. 4. Higher levels of plasma protein, GOT and cholesterol in HDL were found in white storks when compared with black storks but not differences were detected in plasma levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, urea, uric acid, GPT and alkaline phosphatase.

Ramilo DW, Caetano I, Brazio E, Mira M, Antunes L, da Fonseca IP, Cardoso L. Presence of one ecto- and two endoparasite species of the black stork (Ciconia nigra) in Portugal. BMC Vet Res. 2021 Jan 7;17(1):21. doi: 10.1186/s12917-020-02724-6. 

Abstract. Background: The black stork (Ciconia nigra Linnaeus, 1758) is a recognized endangered species in Europe and most of the specimens from the Western Palearctic region breed in the Iberian Peninsula. Available works regarding parasites in black storks are scarce. This work reports the presence one ecto- and two endoparasite species from a black stork in Portugal. Case presentation: A black stork was found in southern Portugal after colliding against electric cables. The specimen did not survive its sustained injuries and a post-mortem exam was performed. During the procedure, several ecto- and endoparasite specimens were found. The collected parasites were lice (Neophilopterus tricolor), nematodes (Desportesius sagittatus) and trematodes (Cathaemasia hians). Conclusions: Three different species of parasites are reported from a black stork in Portugal. Ecto- and endoparasites of C. nigra have not frequently been described in the literature, and this case report is a contribution to the field. Additional studies will be important to better understand the impact that parasites can have on C. nigra health and survival.

Tuohetahong Y, Lu R, Gan F, Li M, Ye X, Yu X. Modeling the Wintering Habitat Distribution of the Black Stork in Shaanxi, China: A Hierarchical Integration of Climate and Land Use/Land Cover Data. Animals (Basel). 2023 Aug 27;13(17):2726. doi: 10.3390/ani13172726. 

Abstract. Species distribution models (SDMs) are effective tools for wildlife conservation and management, as they employ the quantification of habitat suitability and environmental niches to evaluate the patterns of species distribution. The utilization of SDMs at various scales in a hierarchical approach can provide additional and complementary information, significantly improving decision-making in local wildlife conservation initiatives. In this study, we considered the appropriate spatial scale and data resolution to execute species distribution modeling, as these factors greatly influence the modeling procedures. We developed SDMs for wintering black storks at both the regional and local scales. At the regional scale, we used climatic and climate-driven land use/land cover (LULC) variables, along with wintering occurrence points, to develop models for mainland China. At the local scale, we used local environmental variables and locally gathered wintering site data to develop models for Shaanxi province. The predictions from both the regional and local models were then combined at the provincial level by overlapping suitable areas based on climatic and local conditions. We compared and evaluated the resulting predictions using seven statistical metrics. The national models provide information on the appropriate climatic conditions for the black stork during the wintering period throughout China, while the provincial SDMs capture the important local ecological factors that influence the suitability of habitats at a finer scale. As anticipated, the national SDMs predict a larger extent of suitable areas compared to the provincial SDMs. The hierarchical prediction approach is considered trustworthy and, on average, yields better outcomes than non-hierarchical methods. Our findings indicate that human-driven LULC changes have a significant and immediate impact on the wintering habitat of the black stork. However, the effects of climate change seem to be reducing the severity of this impact. The majority of suitable wintering habitats lie outside the boundaries of protected areas, highlighting the need for future conservation and management efforts to prioritize addressing these conservation gaps and focusing on the protection of climate refuges.