White Storks (Ciconia ciconia Linnaeus, 1758) in Georgia: Current distribution and population status

This study provides an analysis of the current status, population trends, and distribution of White Storks ( Ciconia ciconia ) in the Republic of Georgia. Findings from our most recent survey in 2024 revealed a 40% increase in the number of White Stork nesting pairs in settlements previously surveyed during the 2018–2020 census. However, this increase was not statistically significant. The 2024 survey expanded its scope to include 36 additional settlements that had not been surveyed or reported in prior assessments, resulting in the documentation of 55 new nesting pairs within 22 settlements. Among the 23 settlements surveyed in both 2018–2020 and 2024, fluctuations in the number of White Stork nesting pairs were observed in 14 settlements, with a general increase and slight declines noted in four settlements.