The oldest White Stork - Ciconia ciconia – was 39 years old, found dead in Switzerland.

The White Stork is a large bird, with long legs, a long neck, and a long, straight, pointed  beak. The sexes are identical in appearance, except that males are larger than females. The plumage is mainly white with black flight feathers and wing coverts. The breast feathers are long and shaggy forming a ruff which is used in some courtship displays. The adult has a bright red beak and red legs.

They have a wide summer range across Europe and winter in Africa and India. A few records of breeding from South Africa have been known since 1933.