der  Storch

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ʃtɔʁç/

🦢 What exactly is a 'Storch'?

Der Storch is the German word for stork, a large, long-legged, and long-necked wading bird (scientific name: Ciconia) typically with white and black plumage and a long, often red beak. The most well-known species in Europe is the White Stork (der Weißstorch, Ciconia ciconia).

In German-speaking regions, der Storch is also strongly associated with folklore, especially the myth that storks deliver babies.

There is only one grammatical gender for Storch: masculine (der).

Article rules for der, die, and das

Declension: Getting 'der Storch' right

The noun 'Storch' is masculine. Here are the declension tables:

Singular

Plural

Example Sentences

• Der Storch fliegt majestätisch über das Feld.
  (The stork flies majestically over the field.)
• Das Nest des Storches befindet sich auf dem Kirchturm.
  (The stork's nest is on the church tower.)
• Wir gaben dem Storch Futter.
  (We gave the stork food. - Although you usually shouldn't!)
• Hast du den Storch auf dem Dach gesehen?
  (Did you see the stork on the roof?)
• Im Frühling kehren die Störche zurück.
  (In spring, the storks return.)

When and how to use 'Storch'?

The word Storch is primarily used in these contexts:

• Biology/Nature: To refer to the bird itself. Example: Der Weißstorch ist ein Zugvogel. (The White Stork is a migratory bird.)
• Folklore/Culture: In connection with the birth of children. Example: Man sagt, der Storch bringe die Babys. (They say the stork brings the babies.)
• Idioms: There are several fixed expressions.
  • „Da brat mir einer einen Storch!“ (lit. 'Someone fry me a stork!' - Expresses great astonishment, similar to 'Well, I'll be!')
  • „Vom Storch gebissen werden“ (lit. 'To be bitten by the stork' - a humorous way to say 'to have a baby')
  • „Wie ein Storch im Salat stehen“ (lit. 'To stand like a stork in a salad' - to look awkward or out of place)

Confusion with other words is rare as 'Storch' is quite specific.

Memory Aids for 'der Storch'

1. Article Mnemonic: Think of the stork as a 'master' builder (Meister in German starts with M, like masculine 'der') building his nest high up. He is der master, der Storch. Or associate the strong, long beak with a masculine feature - der Storch.
2. Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine a stork standing tall, looking rather like a 'torch' with long legs and a bright beak. Storch sounds a bit like 'torch'.

Think of the 'dear' stork (der Storch) bringing the 'dear' little baby. 'Dear' helps remember 'der'.

Related Terms: Synonyms & Co.

Similar, but different birds

• Reiher (der): (Heron) Looks similar but often has grey plumage and a different beak shape.
• Kranich (der): (Crane) Also a large wading bird, but with a different appearance and behaviour.

A Little Joke 😄

Fragt der kleine Storch seine Mutter: „Mama, woher kommen eigentlich die Menschenbabys?“
Sagt die Storchenmutter: „Die bringt der Postbote, mein Kind!“

Translation:
The little stork asks his mother: "Mommy, where do human babies actually come from?"
The mother stork says: "The mailman brings them, my child!"

Poetic Words about the Stork

Auf langem Bein, so stolz und schlicht,
Der Storch im Feld, ein weiß' Gesicht.
Er klappert laut vom hohen Nest,
hält Ausschau, was die Welt ihm lässt.
Im Frühling kommt er, weit gereist,
Ein Bote, der das Leben preist.

Translation:
On long legs, so proud and plain,
The stork in the field, a white face again.
He clatters loudly from his high nest,
Looks out for what the world offers best.
In spring he comes, traveled far and wide,
A messenger, celebrating life with pride.

Fancy a little Riddle? 🤔

Ich trage Rot am Schnabel lang,
und Weiß und Schwarz ist mein Gesang (naja, mein Klappern!).
Auf Dächern bau ich gern mein Haus,
und bring' – so sagt man – Kinder aus.

Wer bin ich?

Translation:
I wear red on my long beak,
And white and black is how I speak (well, clatter!).
On roofs, I like to build my home,
And bring – or so they say – children from afar they roam.

Who am I?

Solution: Der Storch (The Stork)

Interesting Facts about the Stork

• Migration: Weißstörche (White Storks) are migratory birds, mostly spending winter in Africa.
• Diet: They mainly eat small animals like frogs, mice, insects, and earthworms. (Frösche, Mäuse, Insekten, Regenwürmer).
• Nest Fidelity: Storks often return to the same nest (das Nest) for years, expanding it over time. A stork's nest can become very large and heavy.
• Symbolism: Besides bringing babies (Kindersegen), the stork also symbolizes luck (Glück), spring (Frühling), and home (Heimat).
• Species Diversity: There are various stork species worldwide, such as the Black Stork (der Schwarzstorch) and the Marabou Stork (der Marabu).