Openbill Storks (Asian Openbills)

[isanbirder]

Huge black and white birds (well, off-white) feeding on the apple snails in the rice paddies, or soaring, with necks outstretched. Usually in flocks. The name comes from the gap between the upper and lower mandibles, but you have to be fairly close to see that.

There seems to be a bit of an explosion of these this year. I've heard of them as far north as Uttaradit, which is most unusual, and am beginning to hear of records in Isan and Laos.

If you see them, please post here, or give me a pm, with as exact a location as you can.

They're really big; you're not likely to make a mistake.

[Thomas]

Here's a link with pics

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asian_Openbill

[isanbirder]

Thanks, Thommo.  The pictures are useful.  The distribution map looks a bit optimistic as far as Thailand is concerned.

[silver]

I am due to return to Thailand later in the year and would like to buy a bird book that is easy to take out bird watching. Do you have any recommendations?
Thanks

[isanbirder]

If you are an experienced birder, Robson's Field Guide to the Birds of Thailand and South-east Asia (2008) is the latest and best.  Pictures are excellent, and the text is very informative.

If you are less experienced, Lekagul and Round's Birds of Thailand is much easier to use in the field.  It's out-of-print, so you would have to look for a secondhand copy.

[silver]

Thanks for the information. I'll try and check out both books!