Far away is the first white stork nesting in Aragon. The first appointment comes from 1918, in the town of Ejea de los Caballeros. Since then, the stork population in Aragon it has been growing, with periods of crisis. In 1957, 146 nesting couples were counted, decreasing this figure to 92 couples in 1974.
Today, the stork population reaches 340 nesting pairs (1994 census data). Its evolution is linked to the availability of food resources in the breeding periods; resources found in wetlands and irrigated areas.
The white stork has been declared a protected species in 1981, and is included in the national and regional catalogs of endangered species.
| BIOLOGICAL SHEET | |
|---|---|
| Common name | White Stork |
| Scientific name | Ciconia ciconia |
| Description | Large bird, wings and black and white plumage, red beak and legs (adult specimens) or black (young) |
| Weight | 2,5 a 4,5 kg. |
| Wingspan | 2 a 2,10 m. |
| Adult height | 1 a 1,5 m. |
| Annual setting | 1 |
| Eggs number | 1 to 6, white |
| Incubation | 33-34 days |
| Sexual maturity | From the third or 4th year |
| Longevity | Approximately 20 years |
| Feeding | Mice, insects, fish, ... |
| Eye vision | Distinguish colors |
| BEHAVIOR | |
|---|---|
| When they return | Early February. The male arrives and takes possession of the nest from the previous year. |
| Nest composition | Sticks, mud, straw, rags, and various materials. |
| Nest weight | From 30 to 600 kg. |
| Associated birds | Share nest with sparrows, starlings and kestrels. |
| Permanence chickens in the nest | 60 days |
| Sound | Crotoreo (peaks clash). |
| Migration | End of July |
An endearing neighbor
- Their diet is very varied: fish, mollusks, mice, garbage, etc.
- It is an element appreciated in our villages, especially in large colonies.
- You can enjoy tracking the breeding period of a wild bird.
- The mere fact that they are there implies an approximation of the human being to nature.
- It uses human constructions to settle its nest: bell towers, rooftops, electric towers ...
- Approaching us, seeks protection from possible predators.
With some problems
- Agricultural pesticide poisoning.
- Electrocution and collision with power lines.
- Amputation of limbs with ropes for agricultural use, which can cause death (especially chickens).
- Lack of large trees in which to nest.
- Vandalism: shooting, destruction of nests, ...
- Danger of falling nests too large.
- Deterioration of roofs and church towers due to the constant accumulation of materials in the nest.
Stork Nest Protection and Maintenance Campaign
Other information about fauna in Aragón:
A small list of species in Aragon would be the following:
| Vertebrates | Invertebrates |
|---|---|
MammalsBirdsReptilesAmphibiansFishes |
MetazoansProtozoa |
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images about the fauna in Aragon. photographs on invertebrates. beneficial animals for agriculture. | |