Storks

Asian Openbill Stork

Scientific Name   

Anastomus oscitans

Status

Least Concern

Size 

Length:  68 - 81 cm

Weight:  1.3 - 8.9 kg

Diet 

Carnivore.

Large freshwater molluscs, especially apple snails, which they extract from their shells using their uniquely shaped beaks. They also eat other aquatic invertebrates, such as frogs, snakes, crabs, and large insects, and occasionally small fish.

Appearance

The Asian Openbill Stork has a greyish or white body, with glossy black wings and tail that have a greenish or purplish sheen. The bill has a prominent gap between the lower and upper mandibles, with the two tips only meeting at the end.

Distribution 

Asian Openbill storks are found throughout Thailand, particularly in the central plains, in rice-farming areas and wetlands.

 

Bang Pu Recreation Center

Scientific Name: Ursus tibetanus

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Useful Information

Asian Openbill Storks are social birds that are often seen circling high in the sky in large groups. They are also seen in large mixed groups feeding in paddy fields.

Breeding is between November and May. They nest in large mixed colonies, building large stick nests in tall trees, including acacias and banyans, often near water.

Where To See
  • Bang Pu Recreation Center.

 

Painted Stork

Scientific Name   

Mycteria leucocephala

Status

Near Extinction.

Size 

Length:  93 - 102 cm

Weight:  2 - 3.5 kg

Diet 

Carnivore.

Primarily small fish, also crustaceans, amphibians, insects, and occasionally reptiles.

Appearance

The Painted Stork is a large wading bird with a distinctive black breast band, bright pink wing feathers, and an orange/reddish head and neck. It has a large yellow, down-curved beak, and its white body is contrasted by black wing and tail feathers with a greenish gloss.

Distribution 

Now very rare, restricted to the Gulf of Thailand and Bangkok.

 

Samut Songkram

Scientific Name: Ursus tibetanus

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Useful Information
Painted storks are social birds that feed by walking in shallow water and sweeping their half-open bill to sense and catch prey like fish, amphibians, and insects.
 
Breeding is from September to April. They build large stick nests in trees, sometimes in large colonies.
Where To See
  • Gulf of Thailand.

 

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