Ciconia ciconia
The white stork is one of the most beloved birds in Romania, being a symbol of spring and fertility. In the Danube Delta, storks are closely related to human presence, often choosing to nest in fishing villages, where they find both nest support and rich feeding grounds nearby.
A large bird with completely white plumage, except for the black flight feathers (remiges) of the wings. The long bill and legs are intense red in adults. No obvious sexual dimorphism, though males tend to be slightly larger. In flight, the neck and legs are extended — distinguishing it from herons at a distance.
Favours open areas, wet meadows and the edges of canals where it can wade in search of food. In the Delta, nests can be seen on rooftops, telegraph poles and old trees in villages such as Chilia Veche, Crișan and Sfântu Gheorghe. A long-distance migrant that winters in sub-Saharan Africa.
Storks are famous for their fidelity to the nest — the same platform may be used for decades, growing to enormous size as material is added each year. Communication is primarily through bill-clattering. Diet is varied: frogs, snakes, lizards, large insects (grasshoppers) and rodents — making them effective pest controllers of wet meadows and farmland.
They arrive in Romania in March–April and immediately begin refurbishing the nest. The female lays 3–5 eggs, incubated by both parents for around 33 days. Chicks are altricial and remain in the nest for approximately 55–65 days until fledging. They migrate to Africa in August–September, often covering thousands of kilometres along established routes.
Globally Least Concern (LC). In Romania, the population is closely monitored; the main risks are electrocution on overhead power lines and pesticide use that reduces available prey. Conservation measures include fitting protective caps on power poles and maintaining wet meadows as foraging habitat.