Page 96 - Animals of the Sakhalin Region in myths and legends

Stork black

(Ciconia nigra)

The upper body of the black stork is characterized by black feathers with greenish
and rich red tints. In the lower part of the body, the color of the feathers is presented
in white. An adult bird is rather large and impressive in size. The average height of
a black stork is 1.0–1.1 m with a body weight of 2.8–3.0 kg. The wingspan of a bird
can vary within 1.50–1.55 m.
The feeding places of the black stork are varied: rice fields, damp meadows,
swamps, lake shores. Favorite food — fish, snakes, lizards and frogs, as well as small
insects and other arthropods.
Breeds in Eurasia from western regions of Europe to the east to the coast of the Sea
of Japan. In the Far East of Russia, the black stork lives in the mountainous regions
of Primorsky Region and in the basin of the river Amur from the river Zeya in the
west to the mouth of the Amur in the east. Also nests in the valley of the river Tugur
and on the Shantar Islands. Famous wintering sites are in South Africa, North India
and South China.

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