BirdMania Webcam: Watch White Storks Live in Real Time
What BirdMania is and where this center is located
BirdMania is a unique rescue center for wild birds and small animals, located in the small village of Dömös in Hungary, near the Dominican monastery. This is a place where feathered creatures in distress find shelter, treatment, and care. The center has been operating for over 30 years and has saved hundreds of birds that, for various reasons, could not survive in the wild.
Dömös is a quiet Hungarian village in Komárom-Esztergom county, about 50 kilometers northwest of Budapest. It is here, far from the city noise, that a safe space for the rehabilitation of wild birds has been created. BirdMania became the first civilian nature rescue center in Hungary to receive an official license for nature conservation rescue activities. This means that it is not just enthusiasts who work here, but certified professionals who have the right to rehabilitate wild animals.
The love story of Macus and Szofi — the main stars of the aviary
The most touching story of BirdMania is the story of two white storks, Macus and Szofi. Macus is a male white stork who has lived at the center since 2016 after a severe injury. Someone shot him, and the bird could no longer survive in the wild. Macus became a permanent resident of the aviary, where center staff cared for him.
In 2017, something amazing happened. A wild migratory female white stork named Szofi chose the injured Macus as her partner. This is incredible because wild storks usually avoid birds with disabilities. But Szofi didn't just stay — she returns to Macus every year after wintering in Africa. Their bond is unique on a European scale — Szofi has been returning to her partner for 8 years in a row.
For comparison: the previous record belonged to the Croatian stork Klepetan, whose female returned to him for 17 consecutive years, but she died in 2019. The story of Macus and Szofi continues, and you can watch it right now through the live webcam in real time.
What birds live at BirdMania
In addition to the famous pair of white storks, other birds also live at the BirdMania center. Here you can see birds of prey (ragadozó madarak), as well as various wild birds, including the red-breasted goose (Branta ruficollis) — a rare species listed in the Red Book. Each of these birds has its own rescue story and reasons why it cannot return to the wild.
The stork aviary is a spacious enclosure with mesh walls and straw on the floor, as close to natural conditions as possible. The birds feel safe here, and center visitors and webcam viewers can observe their lives without stressing the birds.
How the storks are fed at the center
One of the most interesting moments for viewers is feeding time. BirdMania staff feed the storks from plastic containers, and this spectacle attracts the attention of many observers. White storks are predators, and their diet consists of fish, small rodents, insects, and other natural food.
Feeding takes place regularly, and it is during these moments that the aviary comes alive: the birds become active, demonstrate their behaviors and interactions with each other. If you want to see the storks in motion, not just resting in the nest, it's worth tuning into the webcam during feeding hours.
Center operations: rehabilitation and bird protection
BirdMania is not just a shelter, but a full-fledged rehabilitation center. Specialists are engaged not only in direct bird rescue but also work on larger-scale problems. In particular, the center actively works on power line safety for storks — thousands of birds die annually from electric shock on poles and wires.
In 2024, Macus and Szofi hatched 4 chicks — this is wonderful news for the center and everyone who follows the lives of these birds. The chicks will grow up safely, under the protection of BirdMania staff, and perhaps someday they will be able to return to the wild.
The center also holds open days when anyone can visit Dömös, see the birds with their own eyes, and learn more about the rescuers' work. But if you can't visit in person, the live webcam allows you to observe the life of the center from anywhere in the world.
How to get to BirdMania in Dömös
If you are planning to visit the center in person, here are some practical tips. Dömös is located in Komárom-Esztergom county, about 50 km from Budapest. You can get there by car or public transport via the city of Komárom.
The center is located near the Dominican monastery — this is a good landmark for navigation. There is parking for visitors on site, and staff are happy to show the aviaries and tell the stories of each bird. Before visiting, it is recommended to check the center's opening hours, as they may change depending on the season.
What you can see on the camera
The BirdMania webcam is a live broadcast from the white stork aviary. The frame shows a spacious enclosure with mesh walls, straw on the floor, and a nest where Macus and Szofi live. The camera operates in real time, allowing you to observe the birds around the clock.
During the day, the storks are usually active: they walk around the aviary, interact with each other, and accept food from center staff. During the chick-rearing period, you can see how the parents take turns incubating eggs and feeding the babies. At night, the birds rest in the nest, and the camera shows the calm atmosphere of the aviary in night mode.
The live webcam is a unique opportunity to observe the wildlife of Hungary without having to go anywhere. White storks are a symbol of this country, and at BirdMania you can see them live, completely free of charge and at any time of day.
