The Atlas Obscura Podcast Our Favorite Objects: The Arrow Stork (Classic)
Aug 29, 2025
Explore the captivating story of a taxidermied stork that changed our understanding of bird migration. Unearth the historical myths about avian travel, from whimsical theories to scientific breakthroughs. Discover the incredible journey of the Arrow Stork, shot by an arrow during its migration. Delve into the techniques researchers use to track these remarkable journeys and the insights gained from the Aerostork's story. It all ties together the wonder of nature with the fascinating history of a single object.
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The Speared Stork Lands In Germany
- A white stork was seen in Klootz, Germany, flying with a three-foot wooden spear through its neck.
- A count shot the bird when it landed and the townspeople discovered the strange spear that sparked wide curiosity.
Speculation Preceded Scientific Observation
- For centuries people guessed about bird disappearance with little testing or evidence.
- Rebecca Heisman highlights that many early theories were imaginative but untested until rigorous observation emerged.
Ancient Theories Lasted Centuries
- Aristotle and later naturalists proposed wild explanations like seasonal plumage change and hibernation to explain bird absence.
- These influential but incorrect ideas persisted into the 16th and 19th centuries.
