Asian Openbill Stork, Anastomus ocitans Boddaert, 1783
The 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 them handle snails. Although mostly resident within their range, they make long distance movements in response to weather and food availability.
The usual foraging habitats are inland wetlands and are only rarely seen along river banks and tidal flats.
Asian Openbill Stork, Anastomus ocitans Boddaert, 1783
The 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 them handle snails. Although mostly resident within their range, they make long distance movements in response to weather and food availability.
The usual foraging habitats are inland wetlands and are only rarely seen along river banks and tidal flats.