Climate Change and the Changing Migration of White Storks in Armenia

For generations in Armenia, the arrival of the aragil, the white stork, has marked the beginning of spring. The return to their nests meant nature kept moving as it should – a reassuring constant. For Armenians, the aragil is not just a bird but a token of home, hope and return.

Today, that natural rhythm is lamentably changing. More and more white storks are staying in Armenia all year round, never leaving their nests in the first place to be able to return. Ultimately, breaking the migratory cycle.

What once signaled renewal is now becoming a quiet warning.

Migratory birds as indicators of environmental change

Migratory birds depend on remarkably precise environmental signals such as temperature shifts, daylight length, and food availability, to guide journeys that can span over 5,000 - 10,000 kilometers between Europe and Africa (Kranstauber et al., 2011).

These systems are finely balanced, where even small disruptions can alter migration timing, routes, and survival.

Global tracking data from platforms like Movebank show that migration patterns are already shifting across species and regions. Some birds arriving earlier, some migrating later, and others not at all (Kranstauber et al., 2011; Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 2022).

Because of this sensitivity, behavioral and population changes of migratory birds signal underlying ecosystem stress. Scientific evidence shows that climate change is already reshaping migration systems worldwide.

What is changing - and why

Across Europe and Western Asia, several trends are now well documented:

Warmer winters: Average winter temperatures have increased significantly over the past decades, reducing the need for long-distance migration. Some white stork populations have shifted from fully migratory to partially or fully sedentary (Gilbert et al., 2016).

Phenological (aka biological life cycles) shifts: Birds are breeding earlier, but food systems are not always shifting at the same pace. This creates mismatches between the needs and food availability, which can reduce survival rates.

Loss of stopover sites: Migratory birds rely on wetlands, grasslands, and agricultural landscapes to rest and refuel. The degradation of these habitats increases mortality risk during migration (Plaza & Lambertucci, 2017).

These are not distant trends, they are already visible in Armenia.

Aragil in Armenia: more than a bird

The white stork is a long-distance migratory species traditionally traveling between Europe and sub-Saharan Africa. It is both ecologically and culturally significant. Ecologically, it helps regulate insect and small vertebrate populations. Culturally, it has long symbolized fertility, home, and continuity.

Scientifically, the white stork is also considered a bio-indicator species, meaning that changes in its behavior can reflect broader environmental degradation or shifts in ecosystem functioning (Tryjanowski et al., 2021).

And those changes are now difficult to ignore. 

Climate change increases the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, such as droughts or floods, which devastate migratory birds during their journeys (Murray, 2025). However, climate change alone does not fully explain the shift. One of the most influential factors is human-altered food systems.

The Nubarashen landfill near Yerevan has become a major feeding site for white storks. Unlike natural ecosystems, it provides a constant, high-calorie food supply all year-round. Studies show that access to such predictable food sources can fundamentally alter migration behavior, encouraging  migratory birds to eventually become resident  (Gilbert et al., 2016; Plaza & Lambertucci, 2017).

Field observations in Armenia suggest that hundreds of storks can gather around landfill areas during winter months, which is something that would have been highly unusual decades ago.

Additionally, events like landfill fires can temporarily increase food availability by exposing organic waste and displacing insects. However, it is important to note these events do not foster the behavior but rather intensify an already existing dependence.

Combine the year-round food supply with milder winters, and you have a very powerful incentive to keep from migrating.

What we are losing

At first glance, storks becoming resident birds might seem harmless – perhaps even culturally and symbolically positive. However, the implications are deeper. Migration is not just movement; it is part of a complex ecological system connecting continents.

When that system breaks:

• ecosystems lose balance,
• species interactions shift,
• and long-term resilience declines, which affect children and their future in the long run.

What Can You Do?

Addressing these challenges requires both systemic and individual action:

• Reduce landfill dependence:  Better waste management systems can limit wildlife reliance on artificial food sources.
• Protect natural habitats: Wetlands and feeding grounds must be preserved to maintain natural migration systems.
• Support monitoring and research: Tracking species like the white stork helps detect early ecosystem changes.
• Learn about nature and act responsibly in nature: Avoid leaving waste in open areas that can attract wildlife.Adopt respectful birding practices: Help storks or other migratory birds stay safe while you observe them. Don't disturb nests, resting or feeding birds. Respect habitats and leave no trace. Keep noise low and movement gentle.

In 2026, like every year since 1993, World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) will be marked twice – on 9 May and on 10 October, aiming to raise awareness of migratory birds and issues related to their conservation. It is the only international awareness-rising day, celebrated on two peak days to highlight the global phenomenon of bird migration and that there are varying peak migration periods in the northern and southern hemispheres.

Awareness is not abstract, it shapes behavior, policy, and priorities. Share this article and help us spread the word about Armenia’s white storks.

References

• Gilbert, N. I., et al. (2016). Are white storks addicted to junk food? Impacts of landfill use on movement and behaviour. Movement Ecology.
• Kranstauber, B., et al. (2011). The Movebank data model for animal tracking. Environmental Modelling & Software.
• Plaza, P. I., & Lambertucci, S. A. (2017). How are garbage dumps impacting vertebrate populations? Global Ecology and Conservation.
• Tryjanowski, P., et al. (2021). White stork as a model species in ecological research.
• NASA Earth Science (2023). Climate patterns affecting bird migration.
• BirdLife International (2024). Migratory bird of the month: White stork.
• Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution (2022). Climate-driven changes in migration systems.
• Additional datasets and tracking insights: Movebank
• James Murray (2025). Institute for Environmental Research and Education. Link: How will climate change affect bird migration? - The Institute for Environmental Research and Education