A member in the family of storks (Ciconiidae), the white stork, Ciconia ciconia, is the best known member of this family. Its plumage is black and white, the bill and legs red in adult birds, black in the young. At one time it nested in Europe on rocky cliffs and in trees, as it still does in some parts of the world to this day. In central and western Europe, where it is regarded as a symbol of good luck and the bearer of babies, it is a favourite of country folk and has acquired the habit of building its nest on chimneys and rooftops. This has probably been influenced also by the fact that villagers frequently put baskets and cartwheels on the roofs to attract them.

The stork is not given to nesting alone; as many as nine incubating birds may be found in a single tree. Whether nesting on rooftops or in trees, storks are generally found in localities where there is an abundance of water to provide them with a sufficient supply of frogs, their chief source of food. The bird forages on fields and meadows as well as by lakes and streams. Besides frogs it also feeds on molluscs and crustaceans. In March or April the males, followed by the females, leave their winter quarters to return to their old nests which, if necessary, they will defend in bloody battle against intruders. They either build new nests or repair the old ones, adding on to them every year so that in time they become high, towering structures weighing several hundredweight. Each bird then welcomes its mate with great ceremony, raising its head, placing it on its back, and shooting it forward, all the while rattling its bill, raising its tail and spreading its wings. The birds also clap their bills when greeting their mates or to warn the young of danger, thought this is sometimes done by hissing. The clutch consists of 3-6 white eggs. Both parents incubate, sitting on the eggs 30 days until the young hatch, afterwards shielding them from cold, rain and excessive heat. The birds remain in the nest for two months. At the age of 70 days they are already independent but do not breed till the fourth or fifth year, when they attain full maturity.

Before their departure for their winter quarters in South Africa, storks sometimes gather to form large flocks. When taking flight they make a few short jumps before rising in the air. The white stork nests in north-west Africa, Europe, Asia Minor, central Asia and in the Far East.