Asian Openbill

A relatively small stork species with a grayish to white body and black wings and tail with a hint of gloss. The Asian Openbill gets its name from a distinctive gap in the dull grayish yellow bill. Note the pinkish legs. Asian Openbills inhabit wetland habitats including shallow marshes, flooded agricultural fields, and lakes. From a distance they could be confused with herons, but they can be clearly distinguished from herons by their feeding habits—wading slowly through shallow water. Soars frequently, often in large dense flocks; note extended neck, unlike retracted neck of herons and egrets.

In Sri Lanka, Asian Openbills are found in inland wetland habitats such as flooded agricultural fields (especially rice paddies), shallow marshes, lakes, and river banks. They are also seen in agricultural landscapes, seasonal marshes, and irrigation canals, and can be found in both lowland and highland areas

In Sri Lanka, the Asian Openbill's diet primarily consists of snails, particularly golden apple snails, which they extract from their shells with their unique beak. They also eat other aquatic invertebrates like crabs, frogs, and large insects. Sometimes they supplement their diet with small fish, lizards, and snakes.