Quick answer
Key facts about white stork — size, diet, habitat, and conservation in one place.
Epic migration
Storks cross the Strait of Gibraltar and Sahara to winter in Sahel savannas, using thermals to soar with minimal flapping — GPS tracks show round trips over 20,000 km annually.
Nest fidelity
Large stick nests on chimneys and poles are reused for decades, growing heavier each year. Pairs return to the same nest site — a symbol of domestic happiness in European folklore.
Baby folklore
The myth of storks delivering babies likely links to human affection for rooftop nests and spring return timing with human births before modern communication.
Conservation success
Least Concern after recovery from wetland drainage in the 20th century. Power line electrocution and drought in Africa remain concerns.