A distinctive stork species, easily identified by its bill’s unusual structure, is characterized by a gap between the mandibles. This unique feature is most pronounced when the bill is closed and is not a deformity but a highly specialized adaptation that allows these birds to feed on certain types of aquatic prey more effectively.
Native to the wetlands of South and Southeast Asia, the Asian Openbill’s black and white plumage, coupled with its large size and stately flight, make it an impressive sight against both rural and increasingly urban backdrops. The Asian Openbill stands about 68 cm (27 inches) tall and has a wingspan that can extend to about 1 meter (3.3 feet), making it a medium-sized member of the stork family.
The Asian Openbill primarily feeds on large aquatic snails, and its bill is perfectly evolved for this purpose. The gap allows the bird to clamp down on the snail’s shell and hold it firm, while the sharp edges of the mandibles are used to cut or pry the snail’s body from the shell. This diet is crucial for the bird’s calcium intake, especially during the breeding season when demands for this mineral are high due to egg production.
While snails constitute the bulk of their diet, these birds will also eat frogs, crabs, large insects, and even small fish. They are often seen foraging in shallow waters such as rice paddies, wet grasslands, and the edges of rivers and lakes, where their food sources are abundant.
Social birds by nature, Asian Openbills are known to form large breeding colonies, sometimes consisting of hundreds of nests in a single location. These colonies are usually established in trees near water bodies. The nests are made of sticks and can be quite large and heavy.
Migration patterns of the Asian Openbill are not fully understood, but they are known to move after the breeding season in response to changing water levels, which affect the availability of their snail prey.
Distribution
Bangladesh
Bhutan
Cambodia
India
Laos
Myanmar
Nepal
Pakistan
Sri Lanka
Thailand
VietnamAnything we've missed?
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Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic / Monomorphic (size)
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd / Flock
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
