Stork

Boyd’s Bible Dictionary:

(vulture). A large wading bird, plentiful in Palestine, gregarious, migratory, nesting in trees and noted for tenderness to its young. Unclean under the law (Lev. 11:19¹⁹And the stork, the heron after her kind, and the lapwing, and the bat. (Leviticus 11:19); Deut. 14:18¹⁸And the stork, and the heron after her kind, and the lapwing, and the bat. (Deuteronomy 14:18); Psa. 104:17¹⁷Where the birds make their nests: as for the stork, the fir trees are her house. (Psalm 104:17); Jer. 8:7⁷Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the judgment of the Lord. (Jeremiah 8:7)).

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Concise Bible Dictionary:

There are three particulars mentioned in scripture respecting this bird.

1. It makes its nest in the fir trees (Psa. 104:17¹⁷Where the birds make their nests: as for the stork, the fir trees are her house. (Psalm 104:17)). This agrees with the stork; it is a large bird, and selects a tree that is high and yet one that will well support its nest.

2. It is represented as in the heaven (Jer. 8:7⁷Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the judgment of the Lord. (Jeremiah 8:7)). The stork flies very high, especially when migrating.

3. It has powerful wings (Zech. 5:9⁹Then lifted I up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came out two women, and the wind was in their wings; for they had wings like the wings of a stork: and they lifted up the ephah between the earth and the heaven. (Zechariah 5:9)). This also agrees with the stork, its wings extending to more than six feet. The same Hebrew word occurs in Job 39:13¹³Gavest thou the goodly wings unto the peacocks? or wings and feathers unto the ostrich? (Job 39:13) (see margin).

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Stork

The word chasidah is kindred to the word translated “merciful,” and the bird is remarkable for its tender care, not only of its young, but of the aged. In the Levitical list it is classed among the unclean birds (Lev. 11:19¹⁹And the stork, the heron after her kind, and the lapwing, and the bat. (Leviticus 11:19); Deut. 14:18¹⁸And the stork, and the heron after her kind, and the lapwing, and the bat. (Deuteronomy 14:18)). This we might expect, as it feeds upon mice, snakes, and other reptiles, &c.

Both the black stork (ciconia nigra), and the white stork (c. alba) are numerous in Palestine. The former associate together in secluded and marshy districts, often in flocks. White storks prefer the habitations of man, where they roam about the streets, devouring the offal. They are much respected, and it would fare ill with anyone who would injure them. In some places they are of much value on account of their attacks upon the serpents.

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Shoebill – The whale-headed stork of the Nile.