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Milky Stork 

on 6th March 2022

Some left over observation from wetlands at the Johore coast, Malaysia and Sungei Buloh, Singapore. I saw quite a number of Milky Stork (Mycteria cinerea) at both locations.

The above is a Milky Stork from Johore, Malaysia.

The above is a Milky Stork hybrid with Painted Stork – note the pink in its plumage (tertials), and that the white upper wing coverts are not pure white.

The above is a juvenile Milky Stork from Singapore.

The above shows part of the Milk Stork flock at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Singapore.

The above is a close-up of an adult Milky Stork from Johore, Malaysia.

The above shows a pair of Milky Storks in flight in Johore, Malaysia.

An article by the National University of Singapore 2019 (http://www.science.nus.edu.sg/research-highlights/2527-genomic-contamination-threatens-endangered-milky-storks-in-singapore) states that “… global population numbers about 1,500 individuals in the wild. The region around Singapore and Johor, Malaysia may hold up to about 7-10% of the global wild population”. Sadly some of the Milky Stork are being hybridized with Painted Stork (Mycteria leucocephala); see:

Baveja P, Tang Q, Lee JGH, Rheindt FE. Impact of genomic leakage on the conservation of the endangered Milky Stork. Biological Conservation 2018 Vol: 229 Pages: 59-66.

 

Amar-Singh HSS (Dato’ Dr) – Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia

Location: Johore Costal Wetlands and Sungei Buloh Wetlands, Singapore

Habitat: Mangrove forest wetlands

Date: 28-29th October 2018

Equipment: Nikon D500 SLR with Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD, handheld

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

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