White stork (Ciconia ciconia)

The white stork (Ciconia ciconia) is one of our most popular migratory birds, which hikers often spot in the warmer part of the year on damp meadows, freshly mown areas, or while nesting in settlements. Its height reaches up to 110 centimeters, and across the wings it can measure well over two meters, placing it among our largest bird species. It is recognized by its snow-white plumage, which is contrastingly black on the trailing edge of the wings, and by its long red bill and legs. Unlike herons, the stork holds its neck fully extended during flight, giving it a characteristic and majestic silhouette that can be seen from afar in the sky.
In the Slovenian cultural landscape, it is considered a symbol of luck and pristine nature, and it preferably builds its mighty nests of branches near people on roofs, chimneys, or special nesting platforms. It mainly feeds on small rodents, amphibians, and larger insects, which it tirelessly searches for on the ground with slow and deliberate steps. In spring, it returns to us from its long migration route from Africa, and towards the end of August, it sets off south again, where it spends the winter. The white stork enriches the Slovenian countryside with its presence and constantly reminds hikers on their outings of the importance of preserving wetlands and extensive meadows in our lowlands and hills.