dark brown upper-parts.
Voice: Low squawks in flight.
Habits: As a resident, it is most common near the coast, where it nests in low mangrove trees. During migration it occurs in all types of wetland, including freshwater marshes and canals. Sometimes walks conspicuously out in the open along the water's edge. Not numerous anywhere within its range.
CINNAMON BITTERN
Ixobrychus cinnamomeus 38 cm F: Ardeidae
Description: Photo shows female. Male has uniformly pale rufous under-parts and darker upper-parts with no scales. In flight, uniformly rufous wings are characteristic.
Voice: Sometimes a low croak on take-off.
Habits: Found in freshwater swamps and along lakesides with some vegetation cover, never in tidal areas. An adaptable species that seems to prefer flooded grasslands and extensive paddy fields. Numerous, but never abundant. Not easy to observe as it searches for small aquatic prey near cover. Usually seen flying low over the grass before dropping back into cover.
BLACK BITTERN
Dupetor flavicollis 54 cm F: Ardeidae
Description: Note very dark plumage and some pale streaks on neck; in flight appears all black.
Voice: Sometimes a deep croak on take-off; also a booming call during breeding.
Habits: A wetland bird that prefers wooded swamps with tall reeds and trees nearby. Also visits flooded rainforest and tidal areas during migration. Rarely seen in open fields. Feeds secretively on fish, frogs and invertebrates, usually during low light periods. Often spotted making short flights and sometimes perching in trees.
GREAT BITTERN
Botaurus stellaris 76 cm F: Ardeidae
Description: Unmistakable. Note massive size and sandy-brown, barred plumage.
Voice: Quiet during migration.
Habits: This secretive wetland bird requires extensive swamps with vast reed beds to thrive, but during migration it might turn up at smaller ponds or cultivated areas. Feeds quietly on small animals and in spite of its size is difficult to spot. Freezes or walks away when approached and prefers not to fly during the day.
MILKY STORK
Mycteria cinerea 92 cm F: Ciconiidae
Description: Note diagnostic white under-parts and under-wing coverts; also yellow bill and red face.
Voice: Silent.
Habits: A shy mangrove bird that feeds on the mudflats for about two hours each day during low tide, catching mudskippers and other fish, as well as snakes and frogs. Nests in small colonies in trees in remote mangrove forests.
PAINTED STORK
Mycteria leucocephala 102 cm F: Ciconiidae
Description: Blackish breast-band and wings are diagnostic. Captive photo.
Voice: Silent..
Habits: Unlike the similar Milky Stork, this freshwater bird feeds in marshes, lakes and occasionally wet fields, mainly on fish, but also catches frogs, reptiles and insects. Breeds in colonies in trees near the water, often in the company of other storks and herons.
ASIAN OPENBILL
Anastomus oscitans 81 cm F: Ciconiidae
Description: Smallest of the Asian storks. Size and a peculiar bill that does not close are diagnostic.
Voice: Generally silent.
Habits: Feeds almost exclusively on apple snails in freshwater marshes and wet fields, extracting snails with its specialized bill. Best place to see this species is the spectacular breeding colony in Wat Phai Lom, Thailand from November to April, when the semi-tame birds can be observed from special viewing towers. Populations disperse outside breeding season.
BLACK STORK
Ciconia nigra 100 cm F: Ciconiidae
Description: Black neck, wings and mantle are diagnostic; also note red bill. Captive photo.
Voice: Silent.
Habits: Found in marshes, along large rivers and around ponds behind the coast. Often occurs in somewhat vegetated areas, but during migration avoids closed forest. Feeds mainly on fish, but also takes a variety of other small aquatic and terrestrial prey. Recorded infrequently during the northern winter months from November to March. Seems to have declined in numbers in recent years.
WOOLLY-NECKED STORK
Ciconia episcopus 91 cm F: Ciconiidae
