Storks

Storks are large birds with long legs, long necks, and big, often pointed beaks. There are nineteen different types of storks found in parts of Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas, in both warm and mild climates. Most storks are mostly white or black, but some have a mix of colours. They live in wetlands, grasslands, and open woods, where they hunt for fish, frogs, and small animals. They are well known for their soaring flight, using rising warm air currents to travel long distances during migration. Unlike herons, storks fly with their necks stretched out. Many storks live in groups and build their nests together in trees or on buildings. The White Stork is a rare visitor to Britain and is sometimes seen during migration. Other stork species are even less common and only occasionally appear. Their slow, careful walking style and large wingspan make them easy to recognise when you see them.