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Anastomus oscitans
The Asian Openbill or Asian Openbill Stork (Anastomus oscitans) is a large wading bird in the stork family Ciconiidae. This distinctive stork is found mainly in and around the Indian subcontinent. It is mainly greyish white with glossy black wings and tail and the adults have the beak with a narrow gap formed by the arched upper mandible and recurved lower mandible. Young birds are born without a gap in the bill and this structure is thought to be an adaptation that aids in handling their main prey of snails. Although mostly resident within their range, they make long distance movements in response to weather and food availability.
Spotted on Feb 2, 2011
Submitted on Sep 17, 2012
2 Comments
Thanks Satyen. Much appreciated. Sure will post them separately.
The first and second pics are of an Asian Openbill Stork, third is of a Spoonbill, fourth is a River tern, fifth is a painted stork and last ones are Egrets. Request you to load them as separate spottings with the details. Thanks.