White Stork

Afrikaans name: Witooievaar

Photo © Steven Herbert

Ciconia ciconia

The White Stork breeds in Europe during the European summer and heads south, as far as South Africa, during the European winter. During the South African summer months it is quite a common site to see these birds on grasslands and farm fields.

The storks walk slowly through the fields looking for prey items such as insects, caterpillars, small rodents, nestling birds and carrion. They may also hunt fish in shallow waters.

White Storks nest on houses and other man-made structures in Europe. The nest is huge and made of sticks. Up to 6 eggs are laid and the eggs and chicks are tended to by both parents.

Roberts Birds Names by Edition

Edition	Roberts nr	Scientific name
1st	80	Ciconia ciconia ciconia
2nd	80	Ciconia ciconia
3rd	80	Ciconia ciconia
4th	80	Ciconia ciconia
5th	83	Ciconia ciconia
6th	83	Ciconia ciconia
7th	467	Ciconia ciconia

Edition	Roberts nr	English name
1st	80	White Stork
2nd	80	White Stork
3rd	80	White Stork
4th	80	White Stork
5th	83	White Stork
6th	83	White Stork
7th	467	White Stork

Edition	Roberts nr	Afrikaans name
1st	80	Wit-ooievaar
2nd	80	Groot Wit Sprinkaanvoel
3rd	80	Wit Sprinkaanvoel
4th	80	Wit Sprinkaanvoel
5th	83	Witooievaar
6th	83	Witooievaar
7th	467	Witooievaar

References and further reading

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 36

The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 29

Wading Birds of the World - Revised edition - Author: Eric and Richard Soothill - Published: 1989 - Page: 82

Southern Africa s Threatened Wildlife - Author: John Ledger - Published: 1990 - Page: 34

The Birds of South Africa - Author: Hazel Stokes - Published: 1979 - Page: 4

Southern African Wildlife - Author: Reader s Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 105

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 36

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 64

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 68

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 65

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 64

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 53

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 36

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 46

Rare Birds of the World - Author: Guy Mountford & Norman Arlott - Published: 1988 - Page: 35

Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 186

Questions and Answers - Birds of Southern Africa - Author: Deirdre Richards - Published: 1990 - Page: 11

Meeting with Birds - Author: Tom Spence - Published: 1986 - Page: 29

Newman s Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 78

Newman s Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 78

Ian Sinclair s Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 60

Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 34

Field Guide to Fynbos Fauna - Author: Cliff & Suretha Dorse - Published: 2023 - Page: 136

Everyone s Guide to South African Birds - Author: John Sinclair and John Mendelsohn - Published: 1987 - Page: 26

Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 33

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 22

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 10

Birds of the South Western Cape - Author: Joy Frandsen - Published: 0 - Page: 29

Birds of the Natal Drakensberg Park - Author: Robin Little and William Bainbridge - Published: 1992 - Page: 6

Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 24

Birds of the Kruger and other National Parks - Volume 1 - Author: National Parks Board - Published: 1974 - Page: 6

Animals of the Kruger National Park - Author: G. de Graaff - Published: 1987 - Page: 56

Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 50

Birds of Africa south of the Sahara - Author: Ian Sinclair and Peter Ryan - Published: 2003 - Page: 60

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 178

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 178

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 43

BirdLife South Africa

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List of South African Birds