Myanmar’s Monsoon Creates Fertile Breeding Ground For Asian Openbill Storks 

By Vijian Paramasivam

PHNOM PENH, June 3 (Bernama) -- As Myanmar’s hot monsoon season sets in, it breathes new life into the country’s wetlands.

A unique spectacle unfolds, as thousands of Asian openbill storks and other waterbird species flock to breed.

While many brace for the discomfort of the sultry, rain-soaked months, these farmer-friendly storks (anastomus oscitans) revel in the season, taking full advantage of the rejuvenated marshlands to nest and thrive.

A native species, they roam freely across the landscape, unperturbed by the din of earthquakes or the turmoil of armed conflict.

When the monsoon alters Myanmar’s lush landscape, the openbill, along with other feathered friends — egrets, cormorants and grey herons —  converge at the wetlands to breed.

Wetlands are a significant food source for the avians during rainy days, providing snails and various aquatic insects, making them a fertile ground for breeding.

“Openbill stork is a native of Myanmar. Now is the start of the breeding season. The July, August and September period is the breeding time of the Asian openbill,” said Biodiversity And Nature Conservation Association Executive Director Thiri Da Wei Aung.

“Now in Myanmar, we have (sufficient) rainfall, so it is good for the birds. We do not worry about the breeding success of the Asian openbill and other kinds of waterbird species,” she told Bernama from Yangon. 

The Asian openbill can be distinguished by the gap between the pointed upper and lower bill. The gap affords the bird a steady grip on its food, usually consisting of apple snails.

Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent have become a favourite ground for these wading birds. 

Covered with white-grey feathers and with pinkish legs, they thrive in inland wetlands, paddy fields, and shallow marshlands. 

These gregarious birds are not a threatened species and are listed as "Least Concern” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

The openbill needs cool temperatures to breed, and the cooler monsoon weather is perfect. 

“They can’t breed if there is no rain. If the temperature increases, the breeding success declines. Climate change and deforestation are threatening their habitat,” said Thiri. 

Interestingly, the openbill is helping local farmers in their rice fields. 

“Farmers love openbills. Openbills are welcome to their fields because they help to clean up the apple snails.

“Farmers don’t like apple snails because they damage their soil and the paddy seedlings,” said Thiri. 

Myanmar's pristine rainforests, wetlands, and nearly 3,000 kilometres of coastline create an ideal habitat for a diverse range of flora and fauna. 

The region is home to dolphins, crocodiles, and several critically endangered bird species such as spoon-billed sandpiper, red-headed vulture, and pink-headed duck.

Myanmar also has the unique Popa langur monkey. It is a critically endangered species with only 250 left in the world.

There are seven Ramsar sites in this country. Ramsar sites are wetlands designated as of international importance as they are ecosystems that support a diverse range of wildlife species. 

“Myanmar is biodiversity rich because of our geographical area. We have snow-capped mountains and we have species living in the high altitude such as black bears (Asian black bears) and snow leopards,” said Thiri.

-- BERNAMA