Chhari Dhand Wetland Reserve Part VIII : Painted Stork

 Chhari Dhand is a seasonal marshy wetland in Banni grasslands (see the intro post explaining about Banni and Chhari Dhand here) on the southern edge of the Great Rann of Kutch. The seasonal lake is home to a large number of birds in winter, including the Painted Stork (See previous posts on Great White Pelicans, Common Cranes, Water Birds, II, Cormorants and Oriental Darter).

   The Painted Stork is a large stork with a heavy yellow beak with a down-curved tip that gives it a resemblance to an Ibis. In fact it was formerly placed in the genus Ibis. 

   The head of the adult is bare and orange or reddish in colour. The long tertials tipped in bright pink and extending over the back and rump while at rest, give them their name.

   Although one of the most abundant of the Asian storks, this species is classified as Near Threatened since at least 2004, because it is thought to be undergoing a moderately rapid population decline, with an estimated total population of 25,000-35,000 individuals or 16,000-24,000 mature individuals.

   For some time in the past, it genus was Tantalus, based on Greek mythology where Tantalus was punished by having to stand in a pool of water, as in the pic below.

Painted Stork with all its characteristic features at Chhari Dhand

Conservation Status: Near Threatened

Range: Indian Sub-continent and SE Asia

Gear: Nikon D7200 with AF-S Nikkor 200 - 500mm F/5.6E ED VR

Exif: 290mm, f/5.6, 1/2000 sec, ISO 320

DoP: Nov 22

Loc: Chhari Dhand, Kutch, Gujarat, India

Painted Stork on take off roll

Conservation Status: Near Threatened
Range: Indian Sub-continent and SE Asia
Gear: Nikon D7200 with AF-S Nikkor 200 - 500mm F/5.6E ED VR
Exif: 290mm, f/5.6, 1/2000 sec, ISO 450
DoP: Nov 22
Loc: Chhari Dhand, Kutch, Gujarat, India

Painted Stork at lift-off

Conservation Status: Near Threatened
Range: Indian Sub-continent and SE Asia
Gear: Nikon D7200 with AF-S Nikkor 200 - 500mm F/5.6E ED VR
Exif: 290mm, f/5.6, 1/2000 sec, ISO 560
DoP: Nov 22
Loc: Chhari Dhand, Kutch, Gujarat, India

Painted Stork on touchdown

Conservation Status: Near Threatened
Range: Indian Sub-continent and SE Asia
Gear: Nikon D7200 with AF-S Nikkor 200 - 500mm F/5.6E ED VR
Exif: 290mm, f/5.6, 1/2000 sec, ISO 400
DoP: Nov 22
Loc: Chhari Dhand, Kutch, Gujarat, India

Painted Stork appears delighted to be finally airborne

Conservation Status: Near Threatened
Range: Indian Sub-continent and SE Asia
Gear: Nikon D7200 with AF-S Nikkor 200 - 500mm F/5.6E ED VR
Exif: 500mm, f/5.6, 1/2000 sec, ISO 200
DoP: Nov 22
Loc: Chhari Dhand, Kutch, Gujarat, India

   Like all storks, they fly with their neck outstretched.

Painted Stork on aerial lookout

Conservation Status: Near Threatened
Range: Indian Sub-continent and SE Asia
Gear: Nikon D7200 with AF-S Nikkor 200 - 500mm F/5.6E ED VR
Exif: 500mm, f/5.6, 1/2000 sec, ISO 200
DoP: Nov 22
Loc: Chhari Dhand, Kutch, Gujarat, India