Changes in adult annual survival rates in a western European population of the White Stork <i>Ciconia ciconia</i>

Abstract

The population of the White Stork Ciconin ciconia in Alsace (northeastern France) has decreased considerably since 1961. Using recent captureerecapture models, we analysed resighting data on ringed birds resulting from a long‐term ringing programme carried out in 1947–1985. Time‐dependence and age‐dependence in annual survival rates are examined with reference to environmental variables in the Sahel wintering area. Our results show a decrease in adult annual survival rate linked to the severity of the drought in the Sahelian zone.