Ciconiidae

Ciconiidae, commonly known as storks, is a family of large, long-legged wading birds in the order Pelecaniformes. The family name derives from the Latin ciconia, meaning stork. It comprises several genera, including Ciconia, Ephippiorhynchus, Leptoptilos, Anastomus and Mycteria.

Storks are tall birds with long necks, elongated bills and strong legs. Plumage is typically white or pale with contrasting black or gray wing-feathers, though some species are darker. They are mostly diurnal and rely on sight to hunt, feeding on fish, amphibians, reptiles, insects and small mammals.

Range and habitat vary by species, but most occupy wetlands, riversides, marshes and grasslands across Africa, Eurasia, the Americas and parts of Oceania. Many storks nest in colonies on trees or platforms, building large stick nests, and return to the same sites year after year.

Breeding involves monogamous pairs; both parents incubate eggs and feed the chicks. Incubation and fledging periods differ among species but typically span several weeks. Some species undertake seasonal migrations.

Conservation status ranges from common to endangered. Habitat loss, disturbance at nesting sites and collision with human infrastructures threaten several species, notably Ciconia boyciana (Oriental stork) and other regional endemics. In modern taxonomy, storks are placed within Pelecaniformes, reflecting revised understandings of their relationships with pelicans and related waterbirds.