Storks in the spotlight:

Interim results of global white stork census

More than just numbers: the 8th International White Stork Census

All over the world, there are myths and legends about the white stork: It is said to grant dreams of bearing children and even deliver babies – which is of course not the case, other than its own! And indeed, storks nest and breed in over 50 countries throughout Europe, North Africa and Asia.

NABU and the white stork are closely intertwined: it’s not just our mascot and symbol, but also a friend we’re determined to protect. That's why since 1994, NABU has organised the decennial International White Stork Census. In 2024, it was that time again: NABU coordinated the eight edition of the census.

By recording breeding pairs of birds, NABU and its partners can estimate the global stork population and collect important data on its trajectory: On the ground, breeding pairs were counted by BirdLife partner organisations, other NGOs, scientific institutes and experts, who registered their data centrally with NABU. This helps us predict where the white stork feels particularly at home and where it might need extra protection.

A glimpse behind the scenes: Initial results

After the stork count, comes the waiting on results! We will need a little patience yet, until the final results of the 8th International White Stork Census can be published here. This much we can reveal: Behind the scenes, numbers are being diligently crunched and the first interim results are taking form.

Of 55 participating countries, results for the current census are in from 38 nations so far, including Ukraine, Turkey and Libya. Four countries have signaled preliminary results, including Germany. In some countries, the analysis continues in 2025. Furthermore, there are supplementary counts taking place this year, for example in France and Spain.

Will the positive population trend of the previous white stork census continue? We estimate that final results for the current white stork census will be on hand by the fall of 2025. Stay tuned and keep your eyes open for white stork news!

Things are looking up for the white stork!

Hardly any bird species has an available body of data comparable to the white stork’s. The census contributes significantly to this as one of the oldest regular monitoring programmes in place. It offers a comparatively precise overview of regional and global population sizes and trends for this fascinating bird species.

After a population decline and all-time low during the 1980s, the trend has now reversed: Stork populations have increased by 40 percent since the census of 1994/95. One reason for their recovery is a change in the birds’ migratory behaviour on their western route. Improved climatic conditions in their wintering grounds result in lower mortality rates during the season. Secondly, there are more intact habitats in the breeding areas of the storks than in previous decades – mainly because targeted investments have been made into the restoration and protection of wetlands.

See the census results of 2014/15 (German version).

How does the census work?

In most countries, ornithologists count the nesting pairs, with the support of volunteers. Surveys can also be done with the help of questionnaires. In large countries with a high stork population density, representative sample areas are surveyed, and the total population is extrapolated.

Recording takes place in accordance with defined scientific criteria. When counting, we differentiate between

1. Number of pairs nesting
2. Number of nesting pairs with fledglings
3. Number of nesting pairs without fledglings
5. Number of nesting pairs with status of offspring unknown
6. Total number of fledglings

White stork webcams

Since 2020, NABU's Armenian office has been implementing project activities to research and conserve the country's white stork populations. Webcams are a powerful tool for this work, aiding with eco-education and studies on nesting biology and sources of pollution. This year's nesting season is once again being broadcast via livestreams of two white stork nests in the Arax lowlands. Both nesting pairs already have offspring - take a look!

3 ways to support conservation of the white stork

(Links in this section lead to articles in German language.)

1. Inform: Knowledge is the first step. Educate yourself about the stork's way of life, its threats, and conservation measures on our website. (Should you be based in Germany you can also visit one of our dedicated stork centres.) Understanding why its protection is important is key to taking the right action. Share this knowledge with your peers to help raise awareness and mobilise!

2. Engage: You can take part in nature conservation initiatives that focus on restoring wetlands, as these serve as breeding grounds for the stork. Check in with your local environmental protection groups to find out what you can do in your country, region, or community.

3. Donate: This way, you can help to make stork migration even safer and enable projects for stork and wetland conservation.

Photo competition: Snap a stork!

In celebration of the ongoing white stork census, NABU went looking for the thirteen best photos for the 2025 NABU white stork calendar. For each stork has its own fascinating story, shaped by its nesting and living conditions. We invited stork enthusiasts to share these stories with us!

The best photos are represented in NABU's white stork calendar for the year 2025. All winners received three copies of the calendar. The photos and their stories are now publicly available on our website.

Competition Closed! The deadline for submissions was August 31, 2024. We received many great entries, from which the jury selected the winning photos.

All information on the competition