Category:Photographs by Anil Öztas/Ciconia ciconia

The white stork (Ciconia ciconia) is a large and elegant bird known for its characteristic white plumage and long, slender neck. These migratory birds are common in much of Europe, North Africa and parts of Asia. White storks are famous for their faithful migration patterns. They winter in the warmer regions of sub-Saharan Africa and return to their breeding grounds in spring. These migratory birds often cover great distances in the process and are a symbol of the beginning of spring. The white stork's nest, also called an eyrie, is a construct of branches and twigs, often built on top of buildings or tall trees. Storks often return to their ancestral nests and use them year after year. White storks are opportunistic feeders and feed mainly on small vertebrates such as frogs, fish, rodents and insects. They have a conspicuous method of catching prey in which they strike with their long beak and then swallow their prey. They also have cultural significance and are often associated with good luck and fertility. The white stork is struggling with habitat loss and other environmental changes in some regions. Nevertheless, various measures are being taken to protect these birds, including the preservation of suitable breeding and feeding areas and the protection of migration routes and winter habitats.