THE STORK FAMILY: Constancy

In many cultures, Storks are highly thought of, with numerous examples abounding. In European and Islamic societies, Storks are symbols of constancy and pilgrimages. For the peoples of Northern Europe, Storks bring abundance and harmony. Meanwhile in China, these Birds bring messages from the Gods. In Ancient Rome, the Stork Law (“Lex Ciconia”) ensured that elderly parents would be cared for in the way that Storks were perceived to care for theirs. The Arawak of North America believe that Stork brought tobacco to the people.

Scientists usually divide Storks into three groups. The first group is the Typical Storks, the Ciconiini. Most people know this group as the Birds who bring babies. The bills of these Storks are long and heavy. In addition They will walk slowly, looking down to search for their prey.

Mycteriini is the second group. These Storks often have down-curved bills like the Ibis. Open-billed Storks use their bills for eating Mollusks, while Wood Storks feed by touch, wading slowly with their bills in the water. Also, Mycteriini live in colonies in the tropics.

The third group is the Leptoptilini, the Great Storks. They are Jabiru, Marabou Stork, Greater and Lesser Adjutant Storks. Because They tear at carrion with their huge bills, these Storks lack plumage on their heads. They will often follow Vultures in search for food.

Well known for centuries, the courtship of Storks has even been depicted in 13th Century manuscripts. Their courtship is referred to as the “up-down”. One stork greets his mate. Then the two Birds raise and lower their necks in a stylized manner. Afterwards, the Storks clatter their bills and make greeting noises. This is an important aspect of their pair bonding.

After a long migration Storks return to their old homes, as always. Each spring, They come back to their old nests to raise their young. Many of these nests are enormous since each year Storks keep adding sticks to them. Learn constancy in your life from Storks, and have a large nest to live in.

MARABOU STORK: Shadows

One of the largest members of the Stork Family, Marabou Stork often feeds on carrion instead of fish. He will haunt the local village dumps for food. Furthermore, Marabou Stork will wait patiently for workers at slaughter houses finish their work, to grab the remaining offal.


Known as the “Undertaker Bird”, Marabou Stork resembles a Vulture instead of a Stork. His bald head is encrusted with scabs. His heavy bill, resembling a meat cleaver, is supported by his bare red throat sac. With his black wings and skinny white legs, Marabou Stork looks quite sinister.

Preferring dry open savannahs to swamps, Marabou Stork relies on Vultures to find dead animals for Him. After the Vultures open up the animal’s hide, Marabou Stork uses his meat cleaver of a beak to retrieve large pieces of meat, which He swallows whole. However, if there are no animal carcasses available, Marabou Stork will eat anything He can catch, while walking or wading.

Unlike the friendly Stork that brings babies, Marabou Stork escorts souls to the Heavens. In African lore, a flying Marabou Stork is a psychopomp for the departed. He takes the freed souls to where they belong.

Marabou Stork is the “Shadow” Stork. Instead of bringing life, He ushers the dying to their final resting place. Accept your shadow side, and its rightful place in the scheme of life. To be a whole person, you need both the shadow and the light. Let Marabou Stork free your shadow self.

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.