Amazingly beautiful birds. Storks are not afraid of people and settle on the roof of rural houses.
Some villagers build places for nesting, cut branches on trees and put poles with a circle. The presence of stork people does not bother. Civilization does not scare them. And at the same time, they are careful in relation to the person.
White stork
Of all storks, the most famous is the white stork; it nests in the European part of our country. Wintering flies to India or Africa. White stork prefers to settle on the banks of ponds. He lives on the banks of rivers, lakes and swamps. Therefore, it floats perfectly. The stork moves well too. He runs fast, especially when he sees the prey. It flies beautifully and makes annual big flights. Speed develops up to 45 km / h. The stork sleeps, standing on one leg, alternating it in a dream.
Black stork
The black stork lives in the forest, in the mountains. He prefers to nest away from humans. Storks are very caring parents. Mother and father gently hatch eggs in turn, warming them with their heat. Hatch up to five eggs.
Stork chicks
With the advent of chicks, parents feed and water the chicks from morning to evening. Stork chicks have been feeding on insects since birth. All the time, parents are in search of water and food for their chicks. Parents throw food out of their beak, chicks grab it on the fly. Brought water smoothly poured into the beak of the chicks. The first two months, storks procure food and feed their offspring.Chicks have a good appetite. They eat fine and quickly gain weight. Storks get rid of weakened and sick chicks. Having matured and strengthened chicks, they fly for food separately from their parents. The food at the reservoirs is diverse, these are insects, snakes, frogs, lizards, rodents, etc.
Features of storks
Stork is a large bird. Its height reaches one hundred and twenty centimeters. A white stork weighs about four kilograms, a black stork weighs about three kilograms. The stork's legs, neck and beak are long. Wingspan 1.5 - 2 meters. In flight, the stork stretches its neck and legs, slowly and smoothly flapping its wings. Storks are almost silent birds. Possesses the voice of a black stork. The white stork knocks with one half of its beak, creating at the same time a certain sound that becomes clear to all surrounding birds.
Jacks
Each bird has its own plan for building a cozy nest. For a big bird and a "house" is big. The white stork prepares sticks, branches for the nest, puts them in one place, the "house" is ready. The black stork builds the nest thoroughly, lays the branches carefully using the earth and clay. One nest has been used by storks for several years, birds from year to year return to their entwined nests. Males arrive in advance and guard the nest to return the female from rivals. Every year, the nest is updated and repaired to remove the chicks. The nest is increasing in size every year. Small birds can live in it. But storks are vigilant, reliably guarding their home from outsiders.
Stork lives for a long time, on average up to 20 years. Storks have almost no enemies, with the exception of large eagles and crocodiles. The stork is a noble bird, it is popularly loved. Chanted in songs and poems. The image of a stork is perceived as a symbol of the country of Belarus.
There is a good sign. When the stork returns to their favorite place, and even paired with a companion, the villagers will find a joyful event that portends the birth of a child. Young villagers provide places for storks to nest and breed.
