20 Interesting Facts About Storks

Storks are wading birds with long legs, necks, and beaks. Their closest relatives are similar-looking wading birds, such as flamingos , ibises, and herons. Storks have around 20 species , present in all continents except Antarctica . However, most species are in Asia , Africa, and Europe. Their habitat includes rivers , lakes, marshes, wetlands, and tropical forests. Storks are usually large, but their size differs according to the species. Hammerkop is the smallest stork, two feet in height. Marabou stork is the tallest, reaching up to 5 feet. Storks are diurnal and carnivore birds. Most species eat small aquatic and land animals such as fish , frogs , rats, mice, insects, etc. Some species also feed on carrion. Storks are almost completely voiceless due to undeveloped syrinx (a vocal organ in birds ). The only sound they produce is clattering their bills loudly under excitement. The flight of storks inspired the invention of aviation in the late 19 th Century. Two German brother