"This is a unique case!" Bird of the Year spotted near "Minsk World"
On Monday, June 22, an Onlíner reader shared a rare photo. The picture, taken that same morning, captured a black stork. It was spotted in a forest-park area between Asanaliyeva Street and the "Minsk World" district. Encountering this bird even in the wild is a great stroke of luck, let alone in the city center.
The black stork is considered a rare species in all countries where it lives. In Belarus, it is listed in the Red Book. By the way, in 2026, the black stork was named the bird of the year.
Journalists contacted zoologist Aliaksandr Vincheuski from the "Wild Nature" company for a comment. The specialist immediately suggested that the stork might have flown from a zoo: the situation was too exceptional. However, it was not possible to discern a ring on the bird's leg.
— Of course, this is a unique case! They can fly over Minsk, but to land in the city... Young birds have not yet flown from their nests. Most likely, this is a young stork that has returned from Africa. They begin to reproduce at 5-6 years old, but even before that, they fly from the south to their homeland every year. I think this is one of those birds. For an adult to fly into the city? I can't imagine that. They generally don't like to show themselves to people, they are afraid. They usually hunt in forests, on canals and rivers. They lead a secretive lifestyle.
Aliaksandr also noted that black storks are often mistaken for white ones stained with mazut (fuel oil). A distinguishing feature of actual black storks is the bare red skin around their eyes.
Unlike its white relative, the black stork never forms colonies and does not settle closer than a kilometer from a neighbor.
Its favorite dwelling places are large oaks, aspens, or pines with thick branches. The trees must be strong enough to support a nest weighing several hundred kilograms. In addition, a lush crown is important to hide the family from predatory birds.
As the zoologist recounted, nests can be used for decades. For example, there is a nest in Belarus where black storks have lived for almost 20 years.
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