Painted Stork
The Painted Stork (Mycteria leucocephala) is a large wading bird occurring in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. Records further afield have become rare, but include China. Generally, the birds favor wetlands where they forage for fish and amphibians in shallow water. They immerse their long bills into the water and catch their prey as they touch it. They breed in colonies and build their nests on trees. I have seen these colourful birds several times on journeys through Kachchh, western India. But only in January 2015, I really had the chance to get close enough for some better photographs. You may click on them to see more details. This year, the water tank in the centre of Bhuj (the capital of Kachchh) attracted many bird species and you may look forward to some more posts from this location during the coming weeks.
Painted Stork
Painted Stork
Painted Stork
Painted Stork
storks in Hamirsar Tank in front of the Prag Mahal, Bhuj
flying storks
flying storks
Painted Stork
storks in Hamirsar Tank, January 2009
Matt Travels 
Looks like a close relative of our yellow-billed stork, Matthias?
And I for one am certainly looking forward to more shots from your recent trip!
thanks for your comment! 🙂 you are definitely right, they look very similar and they are indeed closely related as they belong to the same genus. As far as I know they do not occur in the same region and the Painted Stork has these pinkish tail feathers… maybe that’s how you can differentiate them?!
Oh wow those are so cool! Very like our Woodstorks aka Wood Ibis but even more colorful.Ours nicknamed “old flinthead’ has a black textured neck with a dark patch on top and with a brownish bill and your has some pink on top with a lighter colored bill. Though our does have very pink toes. Would be nice to travel as see these other species!
thanks for your comment, Judy!! You are right, the Woodstorks really look similar and also belong to the same genus! But I never had the luck to see one yet! If you come to India, chances are quite high that you can find Painted Storks though! 🙂
I’ve always been curious to visit India. One of these days. Definitely on my short list of countries to experience.
and very worth the journey!!! there is enough to see for a long round-trip of at least one or two years 😉
These are magnificent pics of a very beautiful bird. I love the flock aspect, how they graze together.
thank you again! I was also amazed at the synchronous movements… unfortunately I did not take a video…
Great post and beautiful bird. The closest relative here in Florida is the less colorful Wood Stork, previously endangered but making a comeback. Thanks
hey – thanks for the comment!! I’ve never had the chance to visit Florida – some day maybe!!
gd shots… any chance of the milky stork mixed in the group? 😛
thanks!! so you have to tell me whether there is a milky stork mixed within! In my opinion, these are all painted storks due to their pinkish tail feathers! but you are the bird expert not me!! 😉
pinkish tail feathers not reliable! gotta check underwings! 🙂
oh well – underwings!! easier said than done!! 😉
what about the photographs in flight? What is your identification??
LOL..I’m no expert! To confuse you further, thought you’d like to know that there are hybrids too… 😛
yes, I have read that in the meantime… 😉 in any case, judging from the relatively dark underwings and comparing with photographs on the internet, I would still say these are Painted Storks 😉 do you agree? btw I still think you are pretty much an expert!!
😛 😛 I will agree if you say so! 🙂
fortunately! 😉 now I can rest in peace!! 😛