Asian Openbill Storks
Anastomus oscitans
นกปากห่าง

The Asian Openbill Stork or Asian Openbill, นกปากห่าง, (Anastomus oscitans) is found mainly in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. It is greyish 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 resident within their range, they make long distance movements in response to weather and food availability. It is common to see these birds, singly and in flocks, foraging in flooded rice fields.