Hybrid stork chicks may be world first

In what is thought to be a world first, a mixed pair of Black and White Storks has successfully raised young in northern Germany this summer.

The adult birds, consisting of a female Black Stork and male White Stork, have reared young at a nest in Lüder, Lower Saxony, after having paired up earlier this spring. The female Black Stork had attracted attention from ornithologists in previous years due to her unsuccessful attempts to pair up with White Storks.

Due to the markedly different ecologies between the species, there was some 'disagreement' during the nest-building phase. The mismatched pair chose an artificial White Stork platform for their nest; this was lined with moss by the Black Stork, but the White Stork removed it and put grass in the nest cavity instead. Three eggs were laid on 19 April, from which two young birds hatched from 20 May, both of which are completely different in colour: one youngster looks more like a black stork, with overall dark plumage albeit with a paler head and neck. The second individual is much paler and far more reminiscent of White Stork, but with dark streaking in the upperparts.

The two hybrid stork offspring at their nest in northern Germany (Joachim Neumann / DDA). 

The parents also disagree when it comes to finding suitable food for the offspring: while the White Stork brings mice and insects to the nest, the Black Stork catches fish.

Both young birds are growing well and are expected to fledge at the end of July. Thanks to their striking colouration, the two 'grey storks' should draw attention if seen elsewhere, and each has been fitted with a uniquely coded black ring, so that their movements can be tracked.