In 1822, An Arrow Shot In Africa Landed In Northern Germany—A Biologist Tells The Story.

By the 1800s, bow and arrow technology was quite sophisticated–the sturdiest recurve bows of the time could send an arrow soaring distances of over 400 yards and could pierce armor at distances greater than a football field.

That, however, does little to explain how a central African arrow landed in the small northern German town of Klutz in 1822. For that, we must look to another master of the sky–the white stork.

The Story Of The Pfeilstorch

Pfeilstorch, a German term meaning “arrow stork,” was the name given to a white stork that alighted in the town of Klutz in the northern German state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern in the spring of 1822. It came bearing a most unusual scientific gift–an arrow threaded through its neck, fixed well enough to withstand the 3,000+ mile migratory journey but sparing the stork its life due to the fact that the arrow pierced only the stork’s skin.

It was a “gift” to science because, up until this point, debate swirled as to how birds survived the winter.

In 1797, Thomas Bewick, an English artist and natural history author, hinted at the correct answer in his book, A History of British Birds–stating that a ship’s captain, whose opinion he held in high esteem, witnessed between the islands of Menorca and Majorca “great numbers of swallows flying northward.”

This stood in contrast to the spurious but widely held belief that swallows hibernated during winter months. Bewick even conducted experiments with swallows, attempting to keep them warm and fed during winter months, but concluded that, “they leave us when this country can no longer furnish them with a supply of their proper and natural food.”

The hibernation theory wasn’t the only theory Bewick had to contend with. In 1703, a Harvard professor suggested that migrating birds flew to the moon and back. Others believed that birds hibernated underwater or, in certain cases, metamorphosed into other birds.

These debates were put to rest after the arrival of the Pfeilstorch in Germany. There was only one logical explanation for the African arrow: northerly migration.

The Pfeilstorch was the first in a series of migratory birds to arrive in Europe with arrows in their skin. Ernst Schüz, a German ornithologist active in the early 20th century, recorded several instances of birds carrying embedded arrows. Among them were a white-bellied stork found in Tanganyika, a short-toed eagle in Hungary, a honey buzzard in Finland, and a black kite. He also noted swans and eiders struck with Inuit arrows.

Later, Schüz observed that such sightings had become more rare due to the widespread shift from bows and arrows to firearms.

The Path Of The Pfeilstorch

The white stork (Ciconia ciconia) is a migratory bird known for its long-distance journeys between breeding and wintering grounds. These birds primarily breed in Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia, favoring open landscapes like wetlands, meadows, and agricultural fields.

During migration, they primarily follow two main routes: the eastern corridor, which takes them through the Balkans, Turkey, and the Middle East to wintering areas in East Africa, and the western corridor, which passes through the Iberian Peninsula and into western Africa.

White storks avoid crossing large bodies of water, as they rely on thermals for energy-efficient gliding. This preference directs them along land routes such as the Bosporus in Turkey and the Strait of Gibraltar. They begin their autumn migration from breeding sites between August and October, traveling up to 13,000 kilometers to reach their wintering grounds in sub-Saharan Africa. Spring migration starts between January and March, with storks returning to their breeding areas by May.

While many storks continue to follow these traditional routes, some populations in western Europe have adapted to milder winters and abundant food supplies by halting their migrations and overwintering closer to their breeding grounds. Despite their adaptability, migratory storks face challenges such as habitat loss, hunting, and climate change.

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Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/scotttravers/2024/12/21/in-1822-an-arrow-shot-in-africa-landed-in-northern-germany-a-biologist-tells-the-story/

Intercontinental ballistic transported by a bird.

Wow! How cool

Can't believe this news.
Forget the sophisticated arrow.

The person that shot it must have a lot of power in his hand.

For those asking me to read the post again, I don't have that luxury to read about arrows

LibertyRep:
Intercontinental ballistic transported by a bird.

Ok that was hilarious

So the stork transported it to Germany from South africa

That's one damn lucky bird!!...

Ballistic missile arrow ....make i bend if u believe

Nice arrow

98% of people commenting and those who will comment didn't and won't read the article.

Posting nonsense is a sign of joblessness.

Misleading title

dynicks:
Some doings are just mysterious...!!

Read man! Jeez!

Na arrow shot during afonja time

Allsmilez999:
Misleading title

it wad deliberate ..I'm sure ..

I rushed to see if it's celestial church arrow....

The caption sha

For those of you who will not bother to read the story - the gist of the story is that an arrow which was shot at a migratory bird got lodged in its body and it carried it all the way to europe

Ok

IN 1835, AN HOTCUM SHOT IN AFRICA LANDED IN SOUTHERN FRANCE

I don't even know what to comment self

Snuffing the life out of a living thing can be unusually difficult. That is why killings or murders are associated with intent many times

Great100000:


Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/scotttravers/2024/12/21/in-1822-an-arrow-shot-in-africa-landed-in-northern-germany-a-biologist-tells-the-story/

Offa people right now

Must be 1822 PUTIN #shot Fired!

richmond500:
Can't believe this news.
Forget the sophisticated arrow.

The person that shot it must have a lot of power in his hand

Read the story first before you comment

Please 🥺 .......

Are we in the Month of April

Una Don start again abi.

Lie lie everywhere