Ciconiidae (family) en

Members of a family containing 17 living species in several genera of large, long-necked, voiceless, wading birds having a long, stout bill and flying by alternately flapping and soaring, with neck outstretched and legs trailing. They are related to the herons, flamingos, and ibises. In folklore, storks are responsible for delivering human babies, probably deriving from some species tendency to nest on rooftops. The stork's large size, habit of serial monogamy, and faithfulness to an established nesting site are characteristics that contribute to their prominence mythology and folklore.