Painted Stork: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Storks and Ibises · day 5 of 7

Five facts

1. The painted stork gets its name from the bright pink feathers that adults wear on their back.
2. In the midday heat, parents stand on the nest with their wings spread wide, making a sunshade for their chicks.
3. In the Indian village of Kokrebellur, painted storks nest in the village trees beside spot-billed pelicans, and local people keep them safe.
4. A growing chick needs about 500 to 600 g of food a day: around 9 fish, served in two meals.
5. This stork is a quiet bird. At the nest it only makes weak moans or clatters its bill.

The quiz

1. What gives the painted stork its name?

• Its painted-looking bill
• Spots on its eggs
• Pink feathers on adults' backs (correct)
• Its colourful legs

The pink feathers of the adults give the bird its name.

2. How do parents protect their chicks from the midday heat?

• They spread their wings to shade them (correct)
• They carry water in their bills
• They move the chicks to the ground
• They dig a cool burrow

Adults spread their wings over the nest to give the chicks shade.

3. In Kokrebellur, who looks after the nesting storks?

• Soldiers
• The pelicans
• Zoo keepers
• The local villagers (correct)

Local people keep the birds safe during the nesting season.

4. About how many fish does a chick eat each day?

• About 90
• About 9 (correct)
• Only 1
• About 300

Its daily food is about 9 fish, given in two meals.

5. What sounds does the painted stork make at the nest?

• Loud trumpet calls
• Long, tuneful songs
• Weak moans and bill clattering (correct)
• Sharp barks

Its only sounds are weak moans and bill clattering at the nest.

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