Painted Stork Bharatpur

Adult Painted Stork in nesting tree. Bharatpur Bird sanctuary (Keoladeo National Park) Rajasthan, India.These tall wading birds are impressive in flight and can often be seen gliding high on the thermals.

About The Painted Stork:

The painted stork (Mycteria leucocephala) is a large wading bird in the stork family, Ciconiidae. They are found throughout wetlands in tropical Asia. Ranging from the Himalayas to Southeast Asia. Their common name, painted storks, comes from the distinctive pink tail feathers of the adults. Storks forage alone or in small groups in the shallow waters of rivers and lakes. Here they submerge their partially open beaks in the water and sweep them from side to side sensing small fish. Once located the fish are snapped up and swallowed with a characteristic toss. Painted Storks nest in the branches of large trees, often in small colonies.

Extended gallery of Asian Birdlife

You can find out more about Painted Storks here.