Today being a Wednesday, nothing better to start then a day dedicated to a wildlife picture that sums up the week gone by or the week we all are heading too. The image could be sent from anyone, a professional to an amateur photographer or someone who feels a message needs to be made to our readers.

This week we are focusing our attention to a bird that is heading to conservation status of Nearly Threatened Species (IUCN Classification)

Species: The Painted Stork (Mycteria leucocephala) - a large wading bird from the stork family. A wader species as it is a shorebird with perfect description of its long legs, with a heavy yellow bill with curved at the down. The distinctive black breast with white scaly markings makes this bird a delight to view.

Their Behaviour: They mostly feed in shallow wetlands. They avoid deep waters and are seen mostly around depths ranging between 12cm - 24cm. This level of water makes their long legs trap small fish with the great sense of touch they can feel movement inside. They are slow walkers and very less disturbance in water to give them good sense of trapping their prey. On occasions they trap frogs as well as snakes. Nesting is mainly done on tree tops which are open. These nesting areas are known as islands and mostly other wader species birds can be seen there as well.

Where can you see them: Widely distributed in most plains of Asia. Found south of the Himalayan belt especially in Keoladeo National Park which acts as one of the best nesting / breeding sites in the world. This species are not found in hot dry places, desert climate, thick dense forest or the high hilly regions. I have seen this bird species in central India national parks. Pictures attached are from Pench National Park, India.

Being a large and beautiful colourful bird, it acts as a must interest in many tourist spots. They can be mostly see around their nesting islands and we recommend whenever you do witness this amazing species (particularly in India and along the Indus valley ecosystem of Pakistan). There has been decline in population in Thailand followed by very few sightings of these birds in Vietnam and Cambodia.

Always remember this birds importance to that very ecosystem you are visiting, making it crucial to survive - thats what makes this bird species special to our ”Wild Wednesday’ Highlight.