Overview
Get to Know Nellie and Nico!
Storks are some of the largest wading birds in the world, known for long toes, a long straight bill, and very little to no vocalizations. This doesn’t mean that storks don’t make sound, though – they can clap their beaks vigorously to communicate!
White storks are among the most common and widely recognized stork species, famous thanks to European, African and Middle Eastern folklore that this species brings newborn babies to excited families. This story was made popular because white storks would return to these regions after living in sub-Saharan Africa for the winter. Their return lined up with springtime, when babies were most often born.
Both the white storks at the Maryland Zoo, Nellie and Nico, joined us in July 2026. As is typical for animals new to our Zoo, they both spent time at the Zoo’s animal hospital after they arrived to ensure they were in good health prior to moving to their new zoo habitat. Nellie and Nico are getting to know their new space, and we will be getting to know them and their routines better in the coming months. Check this page out in the near future to see updates about how they enjoy spending time in their space.
Who’s Who
Like in most white storks, male Nico is slightly taller than female Nellie. However, looking across the yard the storks live in, the difference can be tough to spot unless the storks are standing side-by-side. The best way to tell Nellie and Nico apart is by their leg bands: Nellie has a band on her right leg and Nico has a band on his left leg. This band side is opposite to where bands normally are for identifying male or female birds at the Zoo.
Where to Find Us
Nellie and Nico live with the antelopes in the African Journey section of the zoo. Some people may know this species as the European white stork and be wondering why they’re sharing space with African animals. White storks are migratory birds and will spend their winters in Africa in regions where either lesser kudu or addra gazelle are found. In fact, white storks historically have survived hunting attempts in Africa and brought pieces of arrows or spears with them on their flight back to Europe, which was original evidence to Europeans that birds migrated!
Animal care staff have noticed that as Nellie and Nico have been spending their time on low-ground perching in shady spots. Keep an eye out for fallen branches in the shade in their yard if you’re having trouble spotting them.
Special Care
Some animals are immediately eager to get close to animal care staff, and some animals need a bit more space. Curiosity and comfort varies between individual animal personalities, but some species, like white storks, typically prefer to keep a distance. Staff care for Nellie and Nico in a way that respects their preferences for space, and design their daily care in a way that strives for their safety and comfort.
Conservation Status
Least Concern
This status means that the population of white storks living in their native habitat is doing well.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Subphylum: Vertebrata
- Class: Aves
- Order: Ciconiiformes
- Family: Ciconiidae
- Genus: Ciconia
- Species: C. ciconia