Painted Stork

Mycteria leucocephala · Species of bird
Family
Order
Ciconiiformes
Codes
paisto1, PAST

About the Painted Stork

The painted stork is a large wader in the stork family. It is found in the wetlands of the plains of tropical Asia south of the Himalayas in the Indian subcontinent and extending into Southeast Asia. Their distinctive pink tertial feathers of the adults give them their name. They forage in flocks in shallow waters along rivers or lakes. They immerse their half open beaks in water and sweep them from side to side and snap up their prey of small fish that are sensed by touch. As they wade along they also stir the water with their feet to flush hiding fish. They nest colonially in trees, often along with other waterbirds. The only sounds they produce are weak moans or bill clattering at the nest. They are not migratory and only make short-distance movements in some parts of their range in response to changes in weather or food availability or for breeding. Like other storks, they are often seen soaring on thermals.

Source: Wikipedia

Taxonomy & Classification

KingdomAnimalia
PhylumChordata
ClassAves
OrderCiconiiformes
FamilyStorks (Ciconiidae)
SpeciesMycteria leucocephala
Species Codespaisto1, PAST

Frequently Asked Questions

What family does the Painted Stork belong to?

The Painted Stork (Mycteria leucocephala) belongs to the Storks family (Ciconiidae), in the order Ciconiiformes.

How can I identify the Painted Stork?

The painted stork is a large wader in the stork family. It is found in the wetlands of the plains of tropical Asia south of the Himalayas in the Indian subcontinent and extending into Southeast Asia. Their distinctive pink tertial feathers of the adults give them their name. They forage in flocks in...

Where can I report a Painted Stork sighting?

You can log sightings of Painted Stork on eBird (ebird.org) using species code paisto1, or on iNaturalist.