Painted Stork

A large stork with a long yellow bill that curves down at the tip, like that of an Ibis. Adult is primarily white with black striped markings on the wings and bright pink on tertials. Also note the bright orange face, pinkish legs, and speckled band across the chest. Immatures are duller, with a brown wash, and lack the chest band. These storks typically fly with their head and neck drooping almost at or below the belly level. Often seen near water bodies such as wetlands, marshes, and flooded agricultural fields. Breeds in crowded colonies, often with other waterbirds.

Painted storks in Sri Lanka are found in freshwater wetlands, marshes, lakes, and lagoons. They are also found in flooded agricultural fields, irrigation canals, and swamp forests.

In Sri Lanka, the Painted Stork primarily feeds on small fish which they sense by touch while foraging in shallow wetlands, primarily using their bill to sweep through the water and detect prey; they may also occasionally eat frogs and small snakes as part of their diet.