Asian openbill first spotted on Lake Lashi in Lijiang

Six Asian openbills were spotted foraging with local egrets in the wetlands around Lake Lashi for the first time on June 16, according to the management bureau of the Lijiang Lake Lashi Plateau Wetland Provincial Nature Reserve.

The Asian openbill is a large white stork with glossy black plumage on its wings and tail. This distinctive bird is mainly found in Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent.

The local management bureau first suspected the bird was an oriental white stork, a bird native to China under national level protection found around Lake Lashi ten years ago. Experts then affirmed the fowl as Asian openbills after an investigation and discussion lasting several days.

The Asian openbills have enriched the bird record of the Lake Lashi Reserve. The reserve is now home to 235 kinds of wild birds, and will further improve its environment to provide a quality habitat.

Four Asian openbills forage in the Lijiang Lake Lashi Plateau Wetland Provincial Nature Reserve on June 16. [Photo by Li Zhihong/Yunnan.cn]

Asian openbills are mainly found in Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent. [Photo by Li Zhihong/Yunnan.cn]

The Lijiang Lake Lashi Plateau Wetland Provincial Nature Reserve is now home to 235 kinds of wild birds. [Photo /Yunnan.cn]

Edited by Zachary Dye