White Stork | Our Animals | Fort Wayne Children's Zoo

Scientific name: Ciconia ciconia

Class: Bird

Weight: 5 to 10 pounds

Diet: Carnivore

Lifespan in the wild: Up to 20 years

Lifespan in professional care: 20 to 35 years

Conservation status: Least concern

Number of eggs: 3 to 5 eggs at a time

About

I LIVE IN AFRICA

During the winter months, the white stork can be found in grassy areas and shallow wetlands all across central and southern Africa. Outside of winter, the white stork can be found all across Europe and in parts of Asia.

I AM A CARNIVORE

The white stork will consume a large variety of smaller animal species including fish, frogs, snakes, and more.

WHITE STORKS ARE SOCIAL

This avian species will often roost in colonies of 40-50 individuals. When migration season comes around, white storks will sometimes travel in groups of up to a thousand individuals.

NOT A TALKER

The white stork makes very few vocalizations; adults are only about to make a low hissing sound. The majority of their communication comes in the form of noisy bill-clattering sounds.

HELPING THE WHITE STORK IN THE WILD

The white storks at the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo are enrolled in the Species Survival Plan (SSP). SSP is a program implemented by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) to help ensure a genetically viable population exists.

I AM IMPORTANT TO MY ECOSYSTEM

The white stork plays a very important role in their ecosystem’s food chain as both predator and prey. They are also useful in regulating many of the animal populations they feast upon.

Learn more about our efforts, our conservation partners around the world, and the simple steps you can take to contribute.

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