Painted Stork
NamePainted Stork
Common NamePainted Stork
Scientific NameMycteria leucocephala
FamilyCiconiidae
Wingspan (cm)155
Length (cm)97.5
Weight (g)2750
Plumage DetailsThe body is mostly white, with black and white barred secondary coverts and tertials that give a 'painted' effect. The tertials near the tail are often tinged with a delicate pink. The head is bare and orange-yellow, becoming reddish during breeding season. The bill is long, heavy, and decurved, yellow with a darker tip. Legs are pinkish.
Vocalization / CallGenerally a silent bird, especially away from the nesting colonies. At the nest, they may produce hissing sounds or bill-clattering.
Primary Dietcarnivore
Primary Habitatswetland
Conservation Statusnear-threatened
Geographic RangeFound across the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia, including India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam.
Identifying FeaturesBare orange head, Long, decurved yellow bill, Pink legs, White body with black and white barred wings, Pink tertial feathers
Description
The Painted Stork is a large wading bird characterized by its predominantly white plumage, a bare orange head, and a long, decurved yellow bill. It is typically found foraging in shallow waters of wetlands, using its bill to probe for prey.
