Mass Sightings of Asian Openbill Storks Cause a Buzz

Mass sightings in Singapore of the Asian openbill stork – a bird typically found foraging in the rice fields of countries in the region such as Thailand – have sparked a buzz among the local birding community in the past week.

- Sherlyn Sim

Known for its greyish-white plumage and black tail feathers, the birds were seen at Kranji Marsh and Tampines North on Jan 31, and Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve on Feb 1.

Updates have flooded social media platforms such as Facebook, with bird enthusiasts from across the island sharing photographs, videos and real-time information about the sightings.

Ms Annette Kho, 62, had heard about the stork sightings in Tampines on Facebook and decided to visit a field in Tampines Avenue 10 at 7pm on Jan 31.

Upon arrival, she witnessed a flock of around a hundred storks flying overhead towards Pasir Ris, while another 30 storks were feeding in the field.

Ms Kho, who is semi-retired, told The Straits Times: "My jaw dropped when I saw so many of them. It was an unforgettable experience for a birdwatcher. As a birder for the past four to five years, I had been able to meet this species only on two occasions."