The White Stork is one of the best known bird species. It owes its great popularity to its stately appearance and the fact that it lives in close proximity to human beings. Its populations collapsed in the 20th century and the species disappeared in many places, including Switzerland. Thanks to the great commitment of many stork enthusiasts, the White Stork population is on the increase again today. Its return is a fine example of successful reintroduction and promotion. Nevertheless, various protection and promotion measures are necessary to consolidate the success of recent decades.
©
© Rudolf Aeschlimann
White Stork
©
© Marcel Burkhardt
The White Stork colonises reedbeds and open farmland, in particular extensively used wet meadows and pastureland.
©
© Mathias Schäf
The White Stork’s nest is usually located on exposed buildings or on free-standing trees, preferably in the immediate vicinity of feeding grounds.
©
© Mathias Schäf
The White Stork finds its favourite prey in species-rich meadows and wetlands: large insects, earthworms, small mammals, amphibians and reptiles.
©
© Adrian Aebischer
Thanks to the tracking of White Storks, their migration behaviour and its changes over time have been relatively well studied.
©
© Rudolf Aeschlimann
©
© Marcel Burkhardt
©
© Mathias Schäf
©
© Mathias Schäf
©
© Adrian Aebischer
White Stork
The White Stork colonises reedbeds and open farmland, in particular extensively used wet meadows and pastureland.
The White Stork’s nest is usually located on exposed buildings or on free-standing trees, preferably in the immediate vicinity of feeding grounds.
The White Stork finds its favourite prey in species-rich meadows and wetlands: large insects, earthworms, small mammals, amphibians and reptiles.
Thanks to the tracking of White Storks, their migration behaviour and its changes over time have been relatively well studied.
Domain
Conservation
Unit
Species Recovery
Topics
Species Recovery, Population Development, Habitat Promotion
Habitat
farmland, wetlands, settlements, meadows and pastures
Project start
2003
Project status
ongoing
Project management
Anja Marty
Project region
Switzerland
Employees
Species concerned
Unit
Species Recovery
Wildlife conservation coordinates the development, improvement and dissemination of measures in favour of priority bird species that cannot be helped by habitat protection alone. Together with BirdLife Switzerland and the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN), the department also coordinates the “Species Recovery for Swiss Birds” programme.
