Home › Aves › Ciconiidae › Painted Stork (Mycteria leucocephala)
SPECIES PROFILE
Painted Stork (Mycteria leucocephala)
Mycteria
IUCN STATUS
Near Threatened
CONSERVATION STATUS
Near Threatened
CLASS
Aves
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Indian subcontinent southeast Asia
DIET
Carnivorous
HABITAT
Wetlands marshes lakes
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Aves
ORDER
Ciconiiformes
FAMILY
Ciconiidae
GENUS
Mycteria
📋 Description
SIZE
90-100 cm long 2-3.5 kg
COLORATION
White with black wing bands pink-tinged plumage
ADAPTATIONS
Long bill for sifting water long legs for wading
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Wetlands marshes lakes
DIET
Carnivorous
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Indian subcontinent southeast Asia
REPRODUCTION
Lays 2-5 eggs in tree nests incubated 28-32 days
DIET DETAILS
Fish crustaceans insects
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Wetland drainage pollution
💡 Interesting Facts
1
Painted Waders: Painted Storks sift with 2.5 kg bodies eating 400 grams of fish daily in Bharatpur's wetlands. Their pink tinges are striking.
2
Colonial Breeders: These storks cover 3000 sq km in Odisha's marshes nesting in trees. Habitat loss threatens their colonies.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary in Rajasthan
Chilika Lake in Odisha
Sundarbans National Park in West Bengal
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
October-March Dry season concentrates prey for spotting storks
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
Watch painted storks foraging in groups in wetlands
