White Stork, 2022 (Schleich Farm by Schleich)

Review and images by Animal Lover; edited by bmathison1972

The White Stork (Ciconia ciconia) is an elegant, graceful bird. It is a long-distance migratory bird, migrating from as far as southern Africa, where it spends the winter. In the past, due to habitat change, far fewer storks bred in Northern Europe. However, with conservation and reintroduction programs, breeding has resumed in Northern Europe and it is now listed as a Least Concern species. It migrates mainly over land, where air thermals help its soaring flight. The uplift of air thermals help to reduce the effort of long-distance flying. It feeds mainly in shallow water (wetlands) and grassland, but also at the edges of crop fields. Its diet consists of insects, fish, reptiles, amphibians, small mammals and occasionally, even bird eggs and young birds! White Storks are perhaps the most recognisable stork species, with its red, long beak and legs and a white plumage with black on the wings. Both sexes are identical, but the male is slightly larger. In order to communicate with each other, white storks use various calls but their main sound is noisy bill-clattering. In European folklore, storks are associated with delivering babies and are also very caring and nurturing parents. with both the male and female taking care of the young and thus, are seen as symbols of birth, fertility and family life. It is also seen as a harbinger of spring and good luck if nests are built on human habitation. Today, we will be taking a look at the 2022 White Stork by Schleich.

Before this one, which was released in 2022, there were four other white stork figurines which have also been released by Schleich. The first one has been released in the 1980’s, in a nest with a baby Smurf attached to its beak, the second one has been released in 1996 and retired in 2002, the third one has been released in 2003 and retired in 2007 and the fourth one has been released in 2012 and retired in 2015. So, all of these previous ones have been retired, making the one we are taking a look at today the only one still in production at the time of this review.

In terms of inches, this figure measures approximately 2.28 x 1.02 x 3.5 inch (W x D x H) (on Schleich’s website, it’s 2.3 x 1.0 x 3.5 inch) and in terms of cm, it measures approximately 5.8 X 2.6 X 8.9 cm ( W x D x H). The scale is approximately 1:20. In terms of paint work, the colour for the body is white, with black for the nostrils, eyes and on the wings (the flight feathers) and on the tail. The long beak and legs are vermilion (orangish red) in colour. The base is of a sand colour.

In terms of the sculpt, it is decent, although too simplified and skinny. It could be more bulkier and the breast feathers, though can be seen, could be more prominent. The breast feathers could be longer and shaggier, which form a ruff which is used in courtship displays. The previous sculpt, which is the 2012 sculpt, managed to get the breast feathers right and was more bulkier. The tip of the beak is also rounded, but I understand this is due to safety reasons. The neck could also be more S-like. The long legs are also a bit too thick, but I understand that this may be due to stability reasons. The detailing is decent. Looking closer at the figure, you can see the sculpted feathers on the body. The base is also given some texture to it. The base does not really reflect the white storks habitat which are grassy meadows, farmland and shallow wetlands. I think that for example, a grassy base would be more appropriate. The stork is posed in a standing position on the base, with the legs and feet kept close together.

Overall, a simplistic representation of a white stork. It could be better in the ways mentioned above but otherwise, it is decent. It is available in many online stores or you can find it wherever Schleich figures are sold.