In 1822 a stork arrived in Germany with an arrow through its neck. The wood was from central Africa, over 3000 miles away. This convinced zoologists that birds migrated in the winter, and disproved other theories such as underwater hibernation, or transformation into other animals (like mice)

Pfeilstorch

Migrating stork which has been hit by an arrow

The Rostocker Pfeilstorch, found in 1822, demonstrated that birds migrated rather than hibernating or changing form in winter.

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The term Pfeilstorch (German for ‘arrow stork’, pronounced [ˈpfaɪ̯l.ˌʃtɔɐ̯ç]; plural Pfeilstörche, [-ˌʃtœɐ̯.çə]) is given to storks injured by an arrow while wintering in Africa, before returning to Europe with the arrow stuck in their bodies. As of 2003, around 25 Pfeilstörche have been documented in Germany.

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The first and most famous Pfeilstorch was a white stork found in 1822 near the German village of Klütz, in the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. It was carrying a 75-centimetre (30 in) spear from central Africa in its neck. The specimen was stuffed and … Continue Reading (2 minute read)