Asian Openbill Stork

The Asian open bill is a large wading bird of Stork family. It is a common bird of Tulu Nadu and habitat includes wetlands areas and cultivation. It is greyish or white with glossy black wings and tail. A notable feature is their open bill, formed by the downward curvature of their lower mandible, which only meets the upper mandible at the tip. The younger birds do not have this gap. They feed on snails, fish , crabs and frogs. In search of food they travel long distances. They build nests on half submerged trees and lay 2-4 eggs. Both parents take turns to incubate. 

Call: Mournfull Hoo...hoo..and also low grunting noise.

Scientific Name: Anastomus oscitans (Least Concern)

Location: Kemthur, Udupi
Date: Jan 2018