Painted Storks

Painted Stork

                      Introduction of Painted Stork

       The Painted Stork (Scientific name : Mycteria leucocephala) is a large wading bird in the stork family. It is found in the wetlands of the plains of tropical Asia, south of the Himalayas in South Asia. Their distinctive  tertial (flight) feathers of the wing are pink for which they derived their name. They nest colonially in trees, often along with other waterbirds.They are not migratory and only make short distance movements in some parts of their range for searching food and for breeding.

                  How to Identify Painted Storck

     This large stork has a long, heavy yellow bill with a down-curved tip that gives it a resemblance to an ibis and a yellow face. The head of the adult is bare and orange or reddish in color.The long tertials are tipped in bright pink and at rest they extend over the back and rump.
     This species of stork stands 93 to 102 cm tall, 150-160 cm (59-63 in) in wingspan and weighs between 2 to 5 kg. Painted storks are the only storks within the genus Mycteria that has a black pectoral band with white scaly markings.The band continues into the underwing coverts and the white tips of the black coverts give it the appearance of white stripes running across the underwing lining.The legs are yellowish to red but often appear white due their habit of urohidrosis or defecating on their legs especially when at nest. They display white plumage with a rose color near the tail feathers. Non-breeding plumage is usually less vibrant than breeding plumage. Juveniles are pale brown lacking a pectoral band. Males and females are not sexually dimorphic however, male painted storks tend to be slightly larger than female storks. Body length in this species is used as an indicator of sex.

Flight of a Painted Stork

                 Habits and Habitats

        Painted storks are found within a variety of habitats. They are often restricted to shallow freshwater wetlands and marshes. Painted storks have also been observed in flooded agricultural fields. Painted storks are colonial nesters and can often be found in large flocks of up to two hundred individuals. Flock sizes tend not to alter seasonally in this species. Painted storks forage in groups ranging from 1 to 18 individuals at a time. They are generally non-migratory and thus most stay in the same area. These birds often nest with other water birds such as herons and egrets. They are also often seen soaring in thermals with other stork-like birds.
Painted storks are voiceless. The only sounds they produce are a weak moan or sounds produced by bill clattering at the nest. Like all birds, they perceive their environment through visual, auditory, tactile, and chemical stimuli.

                 Food Habits

      Painted storks have been known to feed on fish, insects, crustaceans, amphibians and reptiles. They forage mainly in the day but may forage late under exceptional conditions.
      In order to catch their prey, storks employ a mode of foraging known as tactile foraging. Tactile foraging involves a bird holding its open beak underwater and waiting for movement near the bill before clamping shut on the prey. Foraging group size ranges from 1 to 18 individuals.Nestlings are fed by adults via regurgitation.

                Nesting and Reproduction

       Painted storks are a monogamous species. Little is known about mate selection however, there is evidence that females prefer to mate with relatively large males.The breeding season begins in late August in northern India lasts until October. However, in the south the breeding starts much later in November and lasts until March. The breeding season occurs after monsoon season, greatly reducing the risk of nest failure.
        Painted Storck is a colonial tree nesting birds nesting in 5 to 6 trees with often 70 to 100 nests. Nests are constructed with plant matter and extend over the water. Painted storks lay 3 to 4 eggs with an incubation period of about 30 days. Chicks fledge at 60 days with a whitish plumage which later becomes pale brown as they age.Both male and female painted storks share responsibilities when incubating and raising young. The young are born altricial, without feathers and with eyes closed. Each parent will take turns feeding nestlings until they fledge.

                  Distribution

       The Painted Stork is widely distributed over the plains of Asia. They are found south of the Himalayan ranges and are bounded on the west by the Indus river system where they are rare and extend eastwards into Southeast Asia.

                  Predation

       Painted storks are predated by tigers, leopards, crocodiles  and eagles . Predation is most significant during the breeding season when eggs and defenseless chicks are available. As a method of defense, chicks will vomit and lie motionless to appear dead.
      Humans are another common predator of painted storks. Local villagers capture chicks and sell them to animal collectors. Storks are also killed for food in rural villages.
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