Asian Openbill Stork

Description:

One Asian Openbill Stork was spotted sitting on top of the tree along the river bank. There were two little egrets sitting on the same tree on a lower perch.

Notes:

The Asian Openbill Stork or Asian Openbill is a large wading bird in the stork family. This distinctive stork is found mainly in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. It is greyish white with glossy black wings and tail and the adults have a gap between the arched upper mandible and recurved lower mandible. Young birds are born without this gap which is thought to be an adaptation that aids in the handling of snails, their main prey. Although resident within their range, they make long distance movements in response to weather and food availability.