Painted Stork

Mycteria leucocephala (Pennant, 1769)

Ciconiidae — Storks

Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala breeds in the Oriental Region, across India and south-east Asia, and belongs to the stork family. It is a bird of wetlands in the plains of tropical Asia south of the Himalayas. Adults are recognised by their pink tertial feathers. It nests in trees in colonies, often alongside other waterbirds. It is not migratory, though some populations make short movements in response to weather, food or breeding needs. Like other storks, it is often seen gliding on thermals. It was described by Pennant in 1769.

Order
Ciconiiformes
Family
Ciconiidae — Storks
Breeding range
Oriental Region: India and se Asia
Painted Stork
© vasudevan nishanth · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

Tours where you can spot this bird

7 tours in India 4, Thailand 2, Cambodia 1

Northern India Birding Tour: Tigers, Birds and the Himalayas
Northern India Birding Tour: Tigers, Birds and the Himalayas
India / New Delhi Group tour 17 days

A 17-day northern India expedition combining wetland and Himalayan birding with Ranthambhore and Corbett wildlife safaris, the Chambal River...

From USD 9,565 Next: Jan 21, 2027
16-Day North India Birding: Wetlands, Corbett and Himalayan Foothills
16-Day North India Birding: Wetlands, Corbett and Himalayan Foothills
India / Delhi Private tour 16 days

A customizable 16-day North India birding circuit through Ranthambore, Bharatpur, Corbett, Kotabagh and Nainital, from wetlands to Himalayan...

6-Day Odisha Birding: Chilika, Mangalajodi and Bhitarkanika
6-Day Odisha Birding: Chilika, Mangalajodi and Bhitarkanika
India / Bhubaneswar Private tour 6 days

A six-day private Odisha route combining wetland and mangrove birding at Chilika, Mangalajodi and Bhitarkanika with selected cultural stops....

Private 4-Day Bharatpur and Keoladeo Birding Tour
Private 4-Day Bharatpur and Keoladeo Birding Tour
India / Bharatpur Custom tour 4 days

A four-day private birding visit to Bharatpur and Keoladeo National Park, with wetland, woodland and migratory-bird observation led by Kunal...

Tonle Sap Waterbirds and Floating Village Adventure
Tonle Sap Waterbirds and Floating Village Adventure
Cambodia / Siem Reap Private tour 11.5h

A full-day boat journey to Prek Toal for pelicans, adjutants, storks, darters and other waterbirds in Tonle Sap's flooded forest....

From USD 295
Ultimate Thailand Bird Watching 35 Days Trip
Ultimate Thailand Bird Watching 35 Days Trip
Thailand Group tour 35 days

Ultimate Thailand Bird Watching – 35 Days / 34 Nights is an extensive and immersive birding journey across the full range of Thailand’s ...

Classic Thailand Bird Watching 25 Days Trip
Classic Thailand Bird Watching 25 Days Trip
Thailand Group tour 25 days

Classic Thailand Bird Watching – 25 Days / 24 Nights is an extensive, immersive birding journey through Thailand’s most diverse habitats...