Injured stork mother leaves chicks starving—human steps in to save them

A stork nest in Haßleben, Germany, has faced several setbacks this season. The mother stork is now injured and missing, leaving the father unable to feed their chicks alone. A human has stepped in to provide daily meals for the young birds. Earlier this year, the Haßleben nest was taken over by another stork, resulting in the loss of the first clutch of eggs. The mother later threw a healthy chick out of the nest, adding to the struggles. With the current mother injured and absent, the father cannot gather enough food for the remaining chicks. In response, NABU has opened a donation account to help support the family.

In nearby Bad Salzungen, a stork family lives 18 metres above the rooftops. Their three chicks, hatched in late April, may soon be ready for their first flight. The young birds spend their days standing, preening, flapping their wings, and playing with siblings. Their routine changes only when the parents return, usually bringing food.

For those interested, live webcams offer a calm way to observe the storks. The feeds provide a slower, more peaceful alternative to fast-paced online content. The Haßleben storks now rely on human intervention for survival. Donations through NABU will help ensure the chicks receive the care they need. Meanwhile, the stork family in Bad Salzungen continues to thrive as they prepare for their next milestone.