Many viewers have brought our attention to the strange behavior of Donna and Padis (DP)—they frequently shake their heads and seem to too often hold their beaks open. We've been asked if this is a symptom of illness.
Those who have visited Estonian forests have surely happened upon heavy concentrations of blackflies (Simulium). Warmer spring temperatures have created good conditions for the flies over the past couple of weeks. Even DP's plumage protects them from the flies, the birds' beaks and eyes are exposed, and they can drive the blackflies away by shaking their heads from time to time. Looking closely at the camera picture, you may see some of the bigger blackflies in flight.
In all cases, the birds hold their beaks open in the sunshine, as if they were drinking it in. Black plumage, vivid sun, no wind and a still-bare nesting tree—there's no reason for worry; all this is normal behavior for the black stork.
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