White stork in flight with a stick

When I visited the eastern part of Austria in spring this year the storks were building and enhancing their nests and therefore they flew a lot to find perfect wooden sticks to enhance their nests. It is nice watching such big birds flying above your head and being awaited by their partners in the nest. They have a greeting ceremony with their beak that is really nice to watch and listen. The waiting partner greets the returning partner with a loud click click of their beak and when the returning one positioned its stick they both raise their heads back to make this clicking sound with their beaks together.

I also saw a similar behavior of the northern gannets when they brought back some food or nesting material from their journey on the open ocean in Helgoland. They also greeted their partner with a clipping ritual of their beaks and also some cuddling with their beaks.

Stork with a stick in its beak. Picture: Florian Glechner.

Stork with a stick in its beak. Picture: Florian Glechner.

Stork with a stick in its beak. Picture: Florian Glechner.

Stork with a stick in its beak. Picture: Florian Glechner.

Stork with a stick in its beak. Picture: Florian Glechner.

Great white stork flying above my head. Picture: Florian Glechner.