Unusual occurrence: Asian openbill storks spotted in Guizhou
Recently, a flock of Asian openbill storks, categorized as a national second-class protected species, has been observed in Guizhou.
TroibNews 
Asian openbill storks have recently been observed hunting for food in Yinjiang Tujia and Miao Autonomous County, located in Guizhou Province, southwest China, on March 25, 2025. This marks the first time this rare species has been documented in Yinjiang. Traditionally, Asian openbill storks are mainly found throughout the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia, making their appearance in this region particularly notable.
Known for their distinctive beak shape and graceful demeanor, the Asian openbill stork is often referred to as the "spirit of the wetland." These large migratory birds travel during their migration season from spring through June each year. They are selective regarding their habitats, choosing areas with optimal ecological conditions and abundant food sources for their temporary stopovers. Typically, they inhabit rivers, marshlands, and coastal mudflats, primarily feeding on mollusks, though they also hunt for fish, shrimp, and shellfish.
The presence of the Asian openbill storks in Yinjiang can be attributed to the significant improvements in the local ecological environment, facilitated by the efforts of local authorities in recent years. In addition, various other rare waterbird species, including little egrets, mandarin ducks, gray herons, common pochards, tufted ducks, and Eurasian coots, have also been spotted in the Yinjiang River.
Navid Kalantari for TROIB News
Known for their distinctive beak shape and graceful demeanor, the Asian openbill stork is often referred to as the "spirit of the wetland." These large migratory birds travel during their migration season from spring through June each year. They are selective regarding their habitats, choosing areas with optimal ecological conditions and abundant food sources for their temporary stopovers. Typically, they inhabit rivers, marshlands, and coastal mudflats, primarily feeding on mollusks, though they also hunt for fish, shrimp, and shellfish.
The presence of the Asian openbill storks in Yinjiang can be attributed to the significant improvements in the local ecological environment, facilitated by the efforts of local authorities in recent years. In addition, various other rare waterbird species, including little egrets, mandarin ducks, gray herons, common pochards, tufted ducks, and Eurasian coots, have also been spotted in the Yinjiang River.
Navid Kalantari for TROIB News
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