Page 86 - Complete Birds of Britain and Europe (DK - RSPB)

STORKS/FLAMINGOS
Families Ciconiidae, Threskiornithidae
STORKS

F THE TWO SPECIES OF STORK in Europe, Both are migrants, spending the winter far south
Oone species, the White Stork, is able to in Africa.White Storks migrate in huge flocks,
live close to people, exploiting buildings and creating exciting birdwatching as they cross the
electricity pylons as nesting places and feeding Mediterranean at the narrowest point, as they
extensively on refuse tips. It is, however, under must glide and soar to save energy and can only
pressure from the destruction of freshwater gain the benefit of rising air over land.Black
habitats and the spread of intensive agriculture. Storks may migrate alone or in smaller groups,
The Black Stork is, in contrast, a forest bird and but can be seen with other large migrants, such
often nests on remote cliffs. as eagles and kites, over the sea, or through
mountain passes.They may be forced down
temporarily by poor weather.

FROG FINDER
The Black Stork feeds on all kinds of small
creatures, such as frogs, found in shallow
water or on wet meadows.

Family Phoenicopteridae
FLAMINGOS

HIS FAMILY OF EXTRAORDINARY birds Nesting colonies are on very low islands, each
Tincludes very few species, scattered world- nest being built up from the mud: nests are
wide, and only one, the Greater Flamingo, is vulnerable to flooding, or to falls in water level
found in Europe. It breeds in just a few large that allow predators to reach the colony.The
colonies, including one at the Camargue in flamingos may rear very few young for several
southern France and one in southern Spain,but years but periodically have a “boom” year that
is regularly seen in sizeable flocks at a number maintains their numbers.Young birds congregate
of other shallow, salty lagoons around the in dense “crèches”and later tend to gather around
Mediterranean, its only habitat type. the outer fringes of large flocks.

SPECTACULAR DISPLAY
Greater Flamingos gather together
and raise their heads high in
synchronized “marching” displays.

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