The Luangwa Valley, Zambia: flyway and stopover site for White Storks Ciconia ciconia

Abstract

Analyses of satellite telemetry data of White Storks Ciconia ciconia from the eastern populations at their stopover sites and staging areas document the importance of the Luangwa Valley, eastern Zambia, as a migration corridor bridging eastern and southern Africa. Twice each year from November to April, up to 100 000 White Storks may transit and rest in the area. Radio-tracked storks took from one to four days in either direction to traverse the entire Luangwa Valley. The preferred habitats for stopover sites and short-term staging, obtained using GIS, are deciduous woodlands and scrublands with sparse trees; croplands are preferred for longer staging periods.

Ostrich 2008, 79(2): 171–176