Asian Openbill Stork

Description:

The Asian Openbill or Asian Openbill Stork is a large wading bird in the stork family Ciconiidae. This distinctive stork is found mainly in and around the Indian subcontinent. It's bengali name is Samuk Khole. The Asian Openbill Stork is predominantly white with glossy black wings and tail having a green or purple sheen. The name is derived from the distinctive gap formed between the recurved lower and arched upper mandible of the beak in adult birds. Young birds do not have this gap. The cutting edges of the mandible have a fine brush like structure that is thought to give them better grip on the shells of snails.

Habitat:

The usual foraging habitats are inland wetlands and are only rarely seen along river banks and tidal flats. I spotted them near a paddy filed, some others are also sitting on a tree & some searching food they were atleast 10. You can find a big sanil at the bill of the fist one !