Prakruti Parichay
CiconiidaeAnastomus

Asian Openbill

Anastomus oscitans

68–68 cmVery Large
Beak
—
Feet
—
Crest
No crest

Widespread resident in plains; unrecorded in parts of NW and NE subcontinent. Stout, dull-coloured 'open bill'. Largely white (breeding) or greyish-white (non-breeding), with black flight feathers and tail; legs usually dull pink. brighter in breeding condition. Juvenile has brownish-grey head, neck and breast, and brownish mantle and scapulars slightly paler than the blackish flight feathers. Forages singly or in small or medium-sized flocks. Usually seeks food by submerging its head and opened bill into shallow water and probing bottom mud; the bill is quickly closed on any prey. Freshwater marshes, shallow lakes, reservo irs, tanks lagoons and paddy - fields; rarely on river banks and mudflats.

Colour

WhiteGreyBlackBrown
Average size
68 cm
Habitat
Usually seeks food by submerging its head and opened bill into shallow water and probing bottom mud, the bill is quickly closed on any prey. Freshwater marshes, shallow lakes, reservo irs, tanks lagoons and paddy - fields, rarely on river banks and mudflats.
Behaviour
Widespread resident in plains, unrecorded in parts of NW and NE subcontinent., Forages singly or in small or medium-sized flocks.

About this bird

Widespread resident in plains; unrecorded in parts of NW and NE subcontinent. Stout, dull-coloured 'open bill'. Largely white (breeding) or greyish-white (non-breeding), with black flight feathers and tail; legs usually dull pink. brighter in breeding condition. Juvenile has brownish-grey head, neck and breast, and brownish mantle and scapulars slightly paler than the blackish flight feathers. Forages singly or in small or medium-sized flocks. Usually seeks food by submerging its head and opened bill into shallow water and probing bottom mud; the bill is quickly closed on any prey. Freshwater marshes, shallow lakes, reservo irs, tanks lagoons and paddy - fields; rarely on river banks and mudflats.

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Asian Openbill is bigger than Brown Hornbill but smaller than Bonelli's Eagle.

This bird

Asian Openbill

Anastomus oscitans

68–68 cm