Editorial photo #11012779 Human Interest
Asian Openbill Stork In Anastomus Oscitans
The Asian openbill or Asian openbill stork (Anastomus oscitans) is a large wading bird in the stork family Ciconiidae. This distinctive stork is found mainly in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. It is greyish or white with glossy black wings and tail, and the adults have a gap between the arched upper mandible and recurved lower mandible. Young birds are born without this gap, which is thought to be an adaptation that aids in the handling of snails, their main prey. Although they are resident within their range, they make long-distance movements in response to weather and food availability. This photo was taken at a wetland in Kaliganj, West Bengal, India, on 17/02/2024. (Photo by Soumyabrata Roy/NurPhoto)
