How to help track the Abdim’s Stork across Africa

Recognisable by white belly, blue face and pale bill, the Abdim’s Stork is closely associated with seasonal changes across its range. It often breeds in iconic Baobab trees and other large trees within or near villages, from Mali in West Africa to the southwestern Arabian Peninsula and East Africa. During the non-breeding season, it migrates to East and Southern Africa.

The birds are often spotted in grasslands, pans and recently ploughed or burnt fields, particularly after the summer rains. These environments can offer feeding opportunities, making observations of where the storks gather useful to researchers studying how they use the landscape.

Their movements also connect places that may seem far apart. A sighting in one part of Africa can become part of a broader record of the species’ distribution, helping researchers understand where the birds occur throughout the year.

Why ordinary sightings matter

The call for public participation comes as World Migratory Bird Day takes place on 10 October 2026, under the theme “Every Bird Counts – Your Observations Matter!” The campaign highlights the role that citizen science can play in monitoring bird populations, understanding migration and identifying potential conservation concerns.

For researcher Tania Anderson, the contribution of members of the public helps address the limits of conventional fieldwork.

“Citizen science supports ongoing research and fills monitoring gaps for this species,” said Anderson.

Researchers cannot cover the Abdim’s Stork’s entire geographical range or spend enough time in every location to gather all the information needed. People living in rural communities, visiting natural areas or watching birds close to home may encounter the species in places researchers cannot regularly reach.

Anderson said the contribution of citizen scientists is particularly important for understanding the locations used by the birds during migration.

Building a bigger picture

The Second Southern African Bird Atlas Project, known as SABAP2, demonstrates how individual observations can contribute to a much wider understanding of bird distribution.

“We need the citizen science community to contribute because researchers cannot cover all areas of its range or get into the field enough to be able to gather the data required. If we don’t have enough data on critical stopover sites or key habitats these storks use, it will be difficult to conserve them across their range,” she said.

According to a SABAP2 infographic, the project recorded 4,926 Abdim’s Stork records across 1,872 pentads in which the species has been recorded, covering August 2007 to October 2026. A pentad is a grid cell measuring approximately nine kilometres by nine kilometres.

These are accumulated records over many years, rather than a count of individual birds or sightings made in 2026 alone. Each record adds to the information available about where the species has been observed.

Anderson also reported that 241 Abdim’s Stork records had been submitted to SABAP2 in 2026. This figure should be understood separately from the project’s longer-term total.

Over time, observations can help researchers identify areas where the birds are regularly found, assess gaps in available information and investigate how their distribution may be changing. The value lies not in one sighting alone, but in the pattern that emerges when records are collected consistently across different places and seasons.

From the field to the record

Taking part does not require specialist equipment. Anyone who encounters an Abdim’s Stork can help by noting the location, the number of birds, the surrounding habitat and what the birds are doing.

“If someone sees Abdim’s Storks, they should record how many there are, their activity such as whether they are feeding, nesting or feeding chicks, and the habitat they are in”

These details can help researchers understand how the birds use different environments.

Sightings can be submitted through the African Bird Atlas Project or SABAP2. BirdLasser is another option for recording bird observations, while the SABAP2 YouTube channel offers guidance on participation.

The important step is to record observations accurately and submit them through an established platform so they can contribute to the wider dataset.

Watching without disturbing

While more observations can improve scientific understanding, the welfare of the birds must come first. Getting close to a nest for a photograph or disturbing a feeding flock can cause unnecessary stress and undermine the purpose of monitoring.

“People should definitely avoid disturbing them and causing them stress, especially where they nest, feed and roost,” Anderson said.

Observers should keep a respectful distance, avoid approaching nesting sites and never put pressure on birds to move for a better view.

The Abdim’s Stork is currently classified as Least Concern globally, but that does not mean monitoring is unnecessary. Migratory birds depend on suitable habitats across large geographical areas, and better information can help conservationists understand where further attention may be needed.

A small contribution with a wider reach

For people who enjoy birdwatching, a sighting can be more than a moment of interest. Recorded responsibly, it can become part of a shared effort to understand the birds that move through Africa’s landscapes.

World Migratory Bird Day offers a reminder that conservation knowledge is built in many ways, including through observations made by people going about their daily lives. Each accurately recorded sighting adds another piece to the picture of where migratory birds travel and the places they need along the way.

For the Abdim’s Stork, those records could help researchers better understand its seasonal movements and the habitats that sustain it. Sometimes, contributing to conservation begins with noticing a bird, taking note of what it is doing and making sure the sighting counts.