Identification
Males are distinguished from females by their slightly larger size. Juveniles are brown instead of black and have greenish legs and beak (they will turn red after 2 years of age).
Distribution - Habitat
It spreads to Central and Southern Europe and Central Asia where it arrives each spring to breed and overwinters in Africa and South Asia, respectively. In Southern Africa there is a permanent core of its global distribution.
The entire European population migrates to Africa for the winter season with the Spanish population remaining in their territories year-round. The same is also recorded in our country to a lesser extent as it is not uncommon for birds to winter in northern Greece and Lesvos (usually 5-10).
Interesting Information
It usually feeds near or in the water (even the sea shore) by walking and spotting its prey. Mostly fish, amphibians, insects, crabs, reptiles, but also small mammals.
It nests in the pine forests of Lesvos and in rocky formations near streams and rivers in large nests made of large branches. It lays 3-5 eggs that are hatched by both parents for 35-36 days and the young are able to leave the nest at over two months of age (65-71 days later).
The Black Stork is related to the White Stork and the island of Lesvos is the only one in the Mediterranean where both species breed.
