Asian Openbill

Identification

The Asian openbill is a distinctive large wading bird standing 68 cm tall, characterized by its striking plumage that varies with season. Breeding birds are predominantly white, while non-breeding plumage is smoky grey. Both sexes display glossy black wings and tail with a green or purple sheen. The most recognizable feature is the unusual gap between the recurved lower and arched upper mandible—a trait that gives the species its name and is thought to aid in handling snails. Young birds lack this gap and display brownish-grey plumage with a brownish mantle. The short legs are pinkish to grey, becoming reddish before breeding season. The bill itself is horn-grey with fine brush-like cutting edges. At a distance, Asian openbills may resemble white storks or Oriental storks, though they are relatively small for their family. Like all storks, they fly with their necks outstretched and are broad-winged soaring birds that rely on thermals for sustained flight.

Range & habitat

The Asian openbill is found mainly throughout the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. It is widespread and common across India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, and Cambodia, with very recent range expansion into southwestern China. The species is very rare in the Sind and Punjab regions of Pakistan. These birds favour inland wetlands as their usual foraging habitat and are only rarely seen along river banks and tidal flats. On agricultural landscapes, they forage in crop fields, irrigation canals, and seasonal marshes. Though resident within their range, Asian openbills are highly mobile, making long-distance movements in response to weather and food availability. Ringed birds have been recovered hundreds of kilometres from their origin points, with one individual tracked 1500 km between Thailand and Bangladesh.

Behaviour & diet

Asian openbills are usually found in flocks, though single birds are not uncommon. During warmer parts of the day, they soar on thermals and often descend rapidly into feeding areas. Groups forage together in close proximity in shallow water or marshy ground, walking with a slow and steady gait. Their diet consists mainly of large molluscs, especially Pila species of snails, which they extract from their shells using a specialized foraging technique. The birds hold their bill tips slightly apart and make rapid vertical jabs in shallow water, often with their head and neck partially submerged. The snail's body is extracted with the bill still underwater, sometimes with the lower mandible tip twisted to the right. While the function of the bill gap remains debated, the rough edges of the mandible are thought to provide better grip on hard, slippery shells. Remarkably, young birds without the characteristic gap are still able to forage successfully on snails. Asian openbills also feed on water snakes, frogs, and large insects, and when available, preferentially use natural marshes over other agricultural habitats.

Best time & places to see it

For reliable sightings, visit wetland regions across India, Bangladesh, Thailand, and Cambodia where the species is widespread and common. In Kerala's Thirunavaya Lotus Lake Wetland, Asian openbills are most regularly seen between September and February. Inland wetlands and freshwater marshes are the most productive habitats to search. Birds are active throughout the day, making visible thermal-soaring displays during warm hours. Look for them in flocks in shallow water or marshy ground, often descending rapidly into feeding areas. Long-distance movements mean that sightings may vary seasonally based on weather and food availability, so local knowledge of current conditions will improve your chances of observation.

Photography tips

Photograph Asian openbills in their open wetland habitats where they have space to soar and forage. The contrast between their white or grey bodies and glossy black wings and tail provides striking compositional opportunities, especially in breeding plumage. During the warm part of the day, capture them soaring on thermals with their necks outstretched—a classic stork behaviour. For feeding shots, position yourself at the water's edge of shallow marshes where flocks forage together; the rapid vertical jabbing motions they use to extract snails can create dynamic images. Close-up shots of the distinctive mandible gap are rewarding when birds are near enough, as this feature is the species' most recognizable identifier. Early morning or late afternoon light will enhance the glossy sheen of their black wing feathers. Remember that these are social birds often seen in groups, so compositions including multiple individuals can effectively convey their typical behaviour.