5 Eur 2023 - Black stork

The black stork is an unmistakable bird species. Apart from the white belly and chest, the adult bird is all black, with the black color having an intense greenish-purple sheen. The bill and the area around the eye, including the legs, are coral red. An adult individual reaches a weight of 2,400 to 3,200 g. It is widespread almost throughout Europe and Asia. In Slovakia, it nests in most forested areas, and it is characterized by great fidelity to its nesting sites, including nesting trees. It uses mature deciduous and mixed forests for nesting, especially in areas with wetlands and watercourses where it searches for food. The base of the nest is formed by strong branches. The inside is lined with thinner twigs, tufts of grass, lichens and moss. It chooses a massive tree with strong horizontal branches for nesting. The female lays two to four eggs. After hatching, the parents carry food to the young in a throat pouch and throw it into the nest. They hunt smaller fish, amphibians, insects, snails, small mammals and birds. It flies to its wintering grounds mainly in August and September. The black stork is one of the protected animal species in our country.