Asian Openbill

The Asian openbill is a medium-sized stork of the Oriental region, occurring principally in India, Sri Lanka, and parts of Indochina. It inhabits shallow tropical wetlands, including flooded fields, rice paddies, estuarine marshes, freshwater lakes, and brackish water. Feeding sites are commonly only 10–50 cm deep. Adults average approximately 81 cm long with a wingspan of 147–149 cm. Pale gray or white plumage contrasts with black wings and tail, while adults possess the characteristically gapped bill. (Animal Diversity Web)

Freshwater snails form the core of the diet, accompanied by mollusks, crabs, worms, frogs, fish, insects, lizards, and snakes. Birds usually forage alone but gather where food is abundant. Asian openbills are primarily monogamous and nest colonially in trees, placing platforms roughly 4.5–18 metres above ground. Breeding usually falls between June and December and peaks with monsoon rainfall. Both parents build the nest, incubate the clutch of two to five eggs, and maintain incubation for 27–30 days. (Animal Diversity Web)