Black and white stork species named bird of the year

Czech ornithologists on Thursday named the black and white stork species Bird of the Year 2014. The Czech Society for Ornithology said the choice was partly motivated by the fact that a Europe-wide census of the white stork is to be held later this year along with a national census of the black stork; experts hope the decision to name the stork Bird of the Year will increase public participation in the project.

There are around 244,000 couples of the white stork living in Europe according to the latest estimates. However, their population faces threats in the form of high voltage power lines as well as climate change.