Black stork

The black stork is a striking wading bird with glossy black feathers and bright red legs. It nests across Europe and Asia, then flies all the way to Africa or India for the winter. Unlike its white cousin, this stork prefers quiet woodlands near water and cleverly avoids long ocean crossings during migration.

• Stands nearly a meter tall with wings stretching over 1.5 meters wide
• European flocks take different land routes to Africa instead of flying over sea
• Southern Africa has a special group that stays put year-round