Painted stork

Painted storks are the most colourful of the stork family. They live in large congregations and can be seen often flying gracefully high overhead in broad circles.

This is a large birds with long legs and long neck. Its heavy yellow bill is slightly decurved near the tip. The face of the Painted Stork is waxy yellow and unfeathered.It has a delicate rose pink colour about its shoulders and on wings. The black pattern on wings is conspicuous.

Painted Storks spend the day standing patiently or wading leisurely in quest of food. The strong long yellow bill of a Painted Stork is immersed in shallow waters, slightly open and swaying from side to side seeking out food.

The nest is a large platform with shallow depression in the middle and lined with leaves, straw, etc. The nests are built on trees standing in or near water.

Photograph 4 shows the Painted Stork in the company of a Whitenecked Stork.

Photograph 7 has Painted Storks with a Spottedbilled or Grey Pelican.