WHITE STORK: Fertility

Since She is often the first Bird seen in spring, the Ukrainians refer to White Stork as “The Messenger of Spring”. In northern Germany, White Stork returns to her nest in March, nine months after Midsummer. When White Stork returns in the spring, She adds more sticks to her already enormous nest. Often building her nest on the roofs of people’s homes, White Stork will then line it with paper and clothing from the humans. Since She brought prosperity to any family where She nested, people encouraged White Stork to make her home on their buildings.


As portrayed in books, White Stork brings babies to people. Since Pagan times, many people in Europe believed that She brought fertility (hence babies) to people. There is such a strong association between White Stork and babies that newborns often have “stork bites”, small pink patches on their eyelids or upper lips. These patches are believed to be “gifts” from the White Stork.

Many people associate White Stork with fertility and prosperity. However, most modern people often think of fertility only in terms of babies. But, fertility also encompasses abundance, and of course prosperity. Let White Stork nest on your roof, and experience abundance in your life. Be fertile in all areas of your life.
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Science Notes:

1. Oriental White Stork (Ciconia boyciana) is not a subspecies of White Stork (Ciconia ciconia). The White Stork has two subspecies: European (Ciconia ciconia ciconia) and West Asian (Ciconia ciconia asiatica).

SHOEBILL STORK (BOGBIRD, WHALE-HEADED STORK)

Connect with Deep Ancestors

One of nature’s strangest-looking Birds, Shoebill Stork is remarkable for her huge hooked bill, which is similar in shape to a shoe. She uses her bill for catching and holding her slippery prey, the Lungfish. Shoebill Stork is a remarkable Bird of which little is known about, such as what is her place in the Order of Birds. Therefore, She has her own Family – the Balaenicipitidae. Perhaps Shoebill Stork is a connection to other Birds living and extinct, who live near marshes.

The strange and other-worldly Shoebill Stork was unknown to Europeans until the 1800s. However, the Ancient Egyptians knew Her well. They painted her images on the walls of their tombs. Perhaps, when they died, She quietly waited for them in the Otherworld, to connect them to the Spirits of the past.

Living in the papyrus swamps of Africa, Shoebill Stork shrewdly hunts in areas of low oxygen. Standing motionless in the sluggish water, She patiently waits for Lungfish to come up for air. When He does, She quickly thrusts her head into the water and catches Him. Afterwards, Shoebill Stork pushes Herself upright using her wings as arms.

Soaring on the thermals, Shoebill Stork finds suitable places for nesting. Together with her Mate, They incubate their eggs. With their huge bills, the two Shoebill Storks ladle water over the eggs, and later the hatched Chicks to keep them cool. After taking trips to get water, the Adults greet each other by clattering their bills. Imitating their elders, the young Chicks hiccup their own greetings.

Let this strange Bird take you to the past, back to your deep ancestors. When you seek your distant kindred, Shoebill Stork will wait for you. Do not let her odd appearance deter you, but let it give you joy. Silently, She will guide you home to your deep past.