BSS, Rajshahi
A flock of Shamuk-khol birds have found a safe haven on trees at the compound of outdoor section in Rajshahi Medical College Hospital creating a place of love to the birds.
These birds have found their sanctuary on the trees inside RMCH. An intimate and friendly bonding between the birds and the people has developed.
Professor Dr Aminuzzaman Mohammad Saleh Reza of the Department of Zoology in Rajshahi University said shamuk-khol is an Asian open bill or Asian open bill stork. The scientific name of this bird is Anastomus Oscitans. There are two species of Shamuk Khols in the world. Asian Openbill (A. Oscitans) and African Openbill (A. Lamelligerus).
Asian Openbill is a white bird with black back and wings. These birds are seen in most parts of South Asia including India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia. It is a large wading bird in the stork family Ciconiidae.
This distinctive stork is found mainly in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. It is grayish white with glossy black wings and tail and the adults have a gap between the arched upper mandible and recurved lower mandible.
