Guwahati, Oct. 4 -- The Painted Stork (Mycteria leucocephala), a large wading bird belonging to the stork family Ciconiidae, returned to Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve after a gap of 4 years, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Saturday.

The bird is easily recognizable by its striking plumage with rose-pink tertial feathers, black and white markings, and long yellow-orange bill.

In a post on X, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma shared, "Kaziranga welcomes an old guest after 4 years. The elegant migratory Painted Storks (Mycteria leucocephala) have made a comeback to @kaziranga's skies, soaring once again over our wetlands-A proof that nature heals when we protect it. Another win for our conservation efforts."

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