The Fascinating Stork: A Symbol of Nature and Mythology
The stork, with its stately appearance and graceful flight, continues to captivate the imagination of people around the world. With its long legs, sharp beak and impressive wings, this bird is not only a beautiful sight, but also an important part of our ecosystem.
The story of the stork and babies
The story that storks bring babies comes from ancient folklore and mythology. In various European cultures, the stork was associated with fertility and birth. The birds were often seen as good luck charms, and their habit of returning to the same nests each year was associated with domesticity and family. This story became further popular in the 19th century through Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tales, which enhanced the image of the stork as a baby carrier.
Image of Sarah Richter via Pixabay
Habitat
The stork is a migratory bird. Migratory birds are birds that migrate seasonally between breeding areas and wintering areas. They are mainly found in swamps, wetlands, grasslands and fields. Storks breed in Europe and Asia and migrate to Africa to hibernate in autumn. In the spring, they return to their breeding grounds. During these long migrations, storks can travel thousands of miles. They use thermals (rising warm air flows) to float high in the air to save energy during their journey.
