White stork

The white stork (Ciconia ciconia) is a species of stork found in Europe, Africa, and western and central Asia, and the Indian subcontinent. Its plumage is mostly white, with black found on the wings. Adults have long red legs and long red pointed beaks, and measures on average 100-115 cm from the beak to the end of the tail, with a 155-215 cm wingspan. The white stork has a long-distance migrant, wintering in sub-Saharan Africa and the Indian subcontinent. When it migrates between Europe and Africa, it avoids crossing the Mediterranean Sea and crosses Levant in the east or Strait of Gibraltar in the west, because air thermals needed for soaring do not form over water. The white stork is a carnivore, having a wide range of prey such as insects, fish, amphibians, reptiles, small mammals, and small birds. It takes most of it's food from shallow water and on the ground with little vegetation. The white stork is a monogamous breeder, but it does not pair for life. Both members of the pair builds a large stick nest which may be used for several years. Each year, the female lays one clutch of usually four eggs, which hatch after 33-34 days after being laid. Both parents feed the young and take turns incubating the eggs. After 58-64 days after hatching, the young leaves the nest, and continues being fed by the parents for another 7-20 days. It has a few natural predators, but may harbor several types of parasites. The large range of the white stork has given it legends across it's range, which one of the best known legends is the story of babies being brought by storks.