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Anastomus oscitans
Asian Openbill Stork is a broad-winged bird.Breeding adults are all white except for the black wing flight feathers, red legs and dull yellow-grey bill. The mandibles do not meet except at the tip, and this gives rise to the species' name. Non-breeding adults have the white of the plumage replaced by off-white. Young birds have brown tinge to the plumage. The Asian Openbill Stork, like most of its relatives, walks slowly and steadily on the ground, feeding on molluscs, frogs and large insects. Wikipedia.
Wetlands, saw many water birds near all water filled areas on the way. Did not have the time to stop at every place. Will be visiting Nalsarovar tomorrow morning. Hope to find something good. Last Nalsarovar collection was great.
Spotted on Oct 7, 2011
Submitted on Oct 7, 2011
7 Comments
Welcome.
Thanks for the information.
Thanks, Tony the favorite food of this bird is aquatic snails. These birds use the upper part of its bill to hold the snail against the ground while it slices the muscle holding the snail to its shell using the lower part. So we see a lot of empty snail shells and not crushed ones at its feeding grounds. It uses the same method to open clams and mussels.
Very strange beak indeed. Nice series.
Thanks.
nicely captured in flight
Added few more pics.