Anastomus oscitans

(Boddaert, 1783)

Vernacular names
English : Asian openbill
French : Bec-ouvert indien

Classification
Class : Aves
Order : Pelecaniformes
Family : Ciconiidae
Notes : No subspecies known

Identification
The species can grow to 81 cm. Unmistakable. Large and broad bill with a gap between the two mandibles. Bill dirty horn colored. Rest of plumage greyish-white with black flight feathers and black upper and under tail coverts.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in southern Asia, from most of India, Sri Lanka and eastern Pakistan to south-central China, Myanmar and Indochina. Lives in wetlands, paddy fields, rivers, mudflats, up to 3300 meters.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species is the commonest Asian stork today although it is locally declining in parts of its range because of hunting and destruction of habitat.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation
Khao Kheow Open Zoo (Thailand), Dai Nam Zoo (Vietnam), Weltvogelpark Walsrode (Germany)

 

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