REVIEW OF RECOVERIES OF RINGED WHITE STORKS CICONZA CICONZA IN SOUTHERN AFRICA

Abstract

Oatley, T. B. & Rammesmayer, M. A. M. 1988. Review of recoveries of ringed White Storks Ciconia ciconia in southern Africa. Ostrich 59: 97–104. White Stork Ciconia ciconia recoveries in southern Africa held by the South African Bird-Ringing Unit were supplemented by an exhaustive literature search to compile a total of 548 ring recoveries extending over 76 years from 1909 to 1984. Rings of 17 different European ringing schemes were found on the recovered storks. 60% of the birds had originated between 51°N and 55°N and 8°E and 25°E, most of these in Germany and Poland. The regional distribution of recoveries is concentrated in the summer-rainfall area, the greatest density of recoveries reported from Natal. The month of highest mortality is January; 23% of reported deaths occurred between April and September. The most common causes of death appear to be collision with overhead powerlines, hunting by man, and hail. Less than a quarter of the storks recovered had lived more than two years and 10% reached their fifth year; 1,4% lived more than 14 years and the oldest birds had lived 19 to 20 years. Mean annual recovery rates have shown a steady increase over the review period. High mortality appears to have occurred in 1910–1911, 1937–1938 and 1972–1973.