Storks

Ancient writers and medieval bestiaries mention the legend that storks feed their parents when they are no longer able to take care of themselves. For this reason, in Renaissance and late painting, the stork symbolizes respect for parents. In addition, storks are depicted carrying the chariot of the god Mercury [3].

Storks eat fish, frogs, lizards, snakes, snails, earthworms, field mice, insects. The female lays 4-5 white eggs about 8 cm long. The voice is weak, the sounds are made by clapping jaws; only the chicks, sitting in the nest, make a squeak or a sound similar to a faint chirp. The young stork is easy to make by hand. They live very long. The length of the white stork from the end of the beak to the tip of the tail is almost 1.3 m; standing has a height of 1 m [2].

In Europe, two species: black (C. nigra) and white (C. alba); the first is covered with dark brown feathers; the second, except for the wings and shoulders, is covered with white feathers, the beak and legs are red. Migrants arrive in Central Europe in February and March. In addition to Europe, found in other parts of the Eastern Hemisphere. Upon arrival, they settle in the former nests, which are arranged from dry twigs on the tops of trees and on roofs; love areas rich in water, most found in the Netherlands, Iceland and South Saxony. They do not exist in England at all. Since storks are not persecuted, they are very trusting and close to home [2].

Storks are characterized by long bare legs covered with reticulated skin; beak long, straight, conical; front fingers connected by a wide swimming membrane, fingers short with pink claws; on the head and neck in places bare skin [2].