Prehistorical and historical occurrence and range dynamic of the Eurasian Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia) and the White Stork (Ciconia ciconia) in Europe

Abstract

The Eurasian Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia) and the White Stork (Ciconia ciconia) are emblematic birds of high conservation interest. This article examines their range history in Europe since the end of the last Glacial by analyzing subfossil bone finds of both species, mostly from archaeological excavations. It is shown that two thousand years ago, White Storks occurred exclusively in the territory of the Roman Empire, i.e. the northern border of their distribution ran along the Rhine and Danube rivers. The north-east part of the continent, with its high population density today, was only colonized in the last few centuries. The Spoonbill’s patchy occurrence in Europe today appears to be a typical distribution pattern for this species. The subfossil findings also do not indicate a large, closed distribution area for any phase of the last 10,000 years. Some of its distribution islands (e.g. those in the Netherlands) have existed for thousands of years.