What kind of bird is a stork? We will explain its characteristics, ecology, and habitat. The stork is a carnivorous bird that lives near water, and I think Japanese people are very familiar with it. They are migratory birds and migrate to different areas.
What is a stork? About basic status
The stork is a bird classified in the genus Stork, in the order Avena and the family Storkidae. The scientific name is Ciconia boyciana. The total length is 110 – 115 cm, the weight is 3 – 5 kg, the wingspan is 58 – 67 cm, and the wingspan is 195 cm. Research is ongoing and photos and videos can be viewed online.
| Japanese（和名） | コウノトリ |
| English（英名） | Oriental white stork/Japanese white stork |
| scientific name(学名) | Ciconia boyciana |
| classification（分類） | Ave、 Ciconiiformes、Ciconiidae、Ciconia 鳥綱、コウノトリ目、コウノトリ科、コウノトリ属 |
| IUCN Status(保全状況) | VULNERABLE |
| Length（体長） | 110 – 115cm |
| Weight（体重） | 3-5kg |
About classification
Stork is a general term for birds belonging to the subfamily Storkinae. In Europe and northern Africa, there is a stork that is closely related to the white stork, and there is a strong opinion that they are the same species. However, both are now considered separate species.
Where is its habitat?
White storks are migratory birds that breed in the Amur and Ussuri river basins of northeastern China and southeastern Russia, and during the winter they migrate south to the Republic of Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and Hong Kong to overwinter.
feature is? What kind of creature is it?
Storks look similar to cranes and are often mistaken for herons. White storks live in rivers, wetlands, and grasslands, and they are quite ferocious, as they often fight fiercely between members of the same species, leading to cases where they end up killing each other. A behavior called “cluttering” has been observed, where they violently peck at each other, as if slamming their beaks together. One characteristic of this bird is that it stops singing when it becomes an adult. Storks do not form colonies.
What is the ecology like?
Storks mainly feed on small animals such as frogs, small fish, and insects. It needs to be in a place with a lot of living things and will eat 400-500g a day. Reproduction is oviparous. They court by arching their heads and clapping their beaks together (cluttering). They are monogamous and build nests in large trees. They lay 2 to 6 eggs and the brooding period is 55 to 70 days. The lifespan is about 35 years.
Is the stork an endangered species?
Unfortunately, the white stork is listed as an endangered species. It has also been designated as a special natural monument of the country. The causes are as follows. The estimated population is around 2,000 to 3,000 birds. In Japan, plans to release birds into the wild and reintroduce them are being implemented. Parenting activities have begun in order to allow the birds to fly outdoors. We are developing a business to help chicks leave the nesting area.
It is difficult to secure food
Due to overfishing and the effects of pesticides, the number of loaches that they feed on has drastically decreased. This made it impossible to get enough food. It has disappeared in the wild in Japan.
A stork gets entangled in an artificial object
Land exploitation by humans is also a major problem. In addition to agricultural damage, the number of storks becoming entangled in man-made objects such as electric wires and electrocution cases is also increasing. Therefore, a breeding program has been started. They lay eggs and grow in rice paddies, etc., and then depending on the situation, they are allowed to leave the nest.
Can storks be kept?
Storks are migratory birds and have no concept of permanent residence. In addition, it is extremely difficult for the general public to keep as it is designated as an endangered species.
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