Close-up of a colony of rare Asian storks that have migrated to Chim islet, in Gia Lai.

The Chim (bird) islet eco-tourism area in Thi Nai Lagoon, Tuy Phuoc Dong commune, Gia Lai province, has become a migratory habitat for thousands of Asian openbill storks, a rare bird species listed in the Vietnam Red Book.
The Chim (bird) islet eco-tourism area in Thi Nai Lagoon, Tuy Phuoc Dong commune, Gia Lai province, has become a migratory habitat for thousands of Asian openbill storks, a rare bird species listed in the Vietnam Red Book.
From above, the sight of thousands of grey-white wings of Asian openbill storks and other bird species occupying a corner of Thi Nai Lagoon offers a breathtaking spectacle for nature lovers and explorers. It is also seen as a strong sign of the ecosystem’s recovery in the lagoon following the historic storm late last year.
From above, the sight of thousands of grey-white wings of Asian openbill storks and other bird species occupying a corner of Thi Nai Lagoon offers a breathtaking spectacle for nature lovers and explorers. It is also seen as a strong sign of the ecosystem’s recovery in the lagoon following the historic storm late last year.
The Asian openbill stork, scientifically known as Anastomus oscitans, belongs to the stork family and typically inhabits mangrove forests. It is a resident bird species, weighing between 1 and 1.2 kilograms, and has distinctive features that clearly set it apart from other white storks.
The Asian openbill stork, scientifically known as Anastomus oscitans, belongs to the stork family and typically inhabits mangrove forests. It is a resident bird species, weighing between 1 and 1.2 kilograms, and has distinctive features that clearly set it apart from other white storks.
The Asian openbill stork has a slender body but broad, powerful wings. Its plumage is mainly greyish-white, accented with black feathers on the wings and tail.
The Asian openbill stork has a slender body but broad, powerful wings. Its plumage is mainly greyish-white, accented with black feathers on the wings and tail.
The Asian openbill stork has a unique long, strong horn-grey beak. When closed, there is a noticeable gap between the upper and lower mandibles, creating a structure that resembles a pair of pincers.
The Asian openbill stork has a unique long, strong horn-grey beak. When closed, there is a noticeable gap between the upper and lower mandibles, creating a structure that resembles a pair of pincers.
The gap in the beak is a powerful “tool” that helps the birds easily grip and crack the shells of mollusks such as snails and oysters, as well as crabs, shrimp, frogs, toads, and large insects. Because of their preference for eating snails, they are also commonly known in Vietnamese as “snail storks.”
The gap in the beak is a powerful “tool” that helps the birds easily grip and crack the shells of mollusks such as snails and oysters, as well as crabs, shrimp, frogs, toads, and large insects. Because of their preference for eating snails, they are also commonly known in Vietnamese as “snail storks.”
In Vietnam, the Asian openbill stork is classified in Group IB — a category for extremely rare animals facing a high risk of extinction. Their large-scale appearance at the Chim islet is considered encouraging news, as this bird species is highly sensitive to changes in water sources and the surrounding ecosystem.
In Vietnam, the Asian openbill stork is classified in Group IB — a category for extremely rare animals facing a high risk of extinction. Their large-scale appearance at the Chim islet is considered encouraging news, as this bird species is highly sensitive to changes in water sources and the surrounding ecosystem.
The Asian openbill storks undertake local migrations or movements in search of food when their habitats shrink or food resources become scarce. In Vietnam, they generally move toward wetlands and agricultural lands where food is abundant.
The Asian openbill storks undertake local migrations or movements in search of food when their habitats shrink or food resources become scarce. In Vietnam, they generally move toward wetlands and agricultural lands where food is abundant.
These unique storks mainly inhabit regions across South Asia and Southeast Asia. They usually begin their annual migration journey between May and August. When food sources in northern or inland areas become scarce due to changes in water conditions, they move toward coastal areas and lagoons with rich mangrove ecosystems.
These unique storks mainly inhabit regions across South Asia and Southeast Asia. They usually begin their annual migration journey between May and August. When food sources in northern or inland areas become scarce due to changes in water conditions, they move toward coastal areas and lagoons with rich mangrove ecosystems.
The Chim islet is part of the Thi Nai Lagoon system, one of the largest saltwater lagoons in Central Vietnam. The area boasts abundant aquatic resources, especially snails and crustaceans, favorite foods of the Asian openbill stork. In addition, the old mangrove and black mangrove trees provide safe shelter for the birds, helping them avoid human disturbance.
The Chim islet is part of the Thi Nai Lagoon system, one of the largest saltwater lagoons in Central Vietnam. The area boasts abundant aquatic resources, especially snails and crustaceans, favorite foods of the Asian openbill stork. In addition, the old mangrove and black mangrove trees provide safe shelter for the birds, helping them avoid human disturbance.
According to scientists, the Asian openbill stork has an excellent ability to remember its migration routes. If a location provides sufficient food and safety, the birds will return the following year and may even bring along future generations of their flock.
According to scientists, the Asian openbill stork has an excellent ability to remember its migration routes. If a location provides sufficient food and safety, the birds will return the following year and may even bring along future generations of their flock.
According to Nguyen Dang Khoa, a 38-year-old boatman working on Thi Nai Lagoon, more than half a year after the severe damage caused by historic Storm No. 13 or Kalmaegi storm, local residents and authorities in Gia Lai province have implemented various measures to restore the mangrove forests around the lagoon. The mangrove trees that were once flattened and dying are now gradually turning green again, attracting birds back to the area. The return of the Asian openbill stork is seen as a positive sign.
According to Nguyen Dang Khoa, a 38-year-old boatman working on Thi Nai Lagoon, more than half a year after the severe damage caused by historic Storm No. 13 or Kalmaegi storm, local residents and authorities in Gia Lai province have implemented various measures to restore the mangrove forests around the lagoon. The mangrove trees that were once flattened and dying are now gradually turning green again, attracting birds back to the area. The return of the Asian openbill stork is seen as a positive sign.
“The beauty of the flock of Asian openbill storks brings a sense of peace to the lagoon. However, the large concentration of this rare bird species also poses many challenges. To protect these Red Book-listed birds, local residents and authorities have been strengthening patrols and monitoring efforts,” Khoa said.
“The beauty of the flock of Asian openbill storks brings a sense of peace to the lagoon. However, the large concentration of this rare bird species also poses many challenges. To protect these Red Book-listed birds, local residents and authorities have been strengthening patrols and monitoring efforts,” Khoa said.
During the day, the Asian openbill storks and other bird species forage on the water’s surface, then return to the mangrove canopy in the lagoon to rest at night. The local residents live in harmony with nature, protecting the mangrove forests and preventing bird hunting and destructive practices. As a result, more wild bird species, including rare ones, return each year to breed, while aquatic resources have also recovered rapidly.
During the day, the Asian openbill storks and other bird species forage on the water’s surface, then return to the mangrove canopy in the lagoon to rest at night. The local residents live in harmony with nature, protecting the mangrove forests and preventing bird hunting and destructive practices. As a result, more wild bird species, including rare ones, return each year to breed, while aquatic resources have also recovered rapidly.
Thi Nai Lagoon covers an area of around 5,000 hectares, including the Chim Islet ecological zone, which spans about 480 hectares and is known as Gia Lai’s “green oasis.” Within this eco-area, Chim islet is regarded as an ecological “treasure trove,” home to hundreds of species of fish, shrimp, and wild birds living together in abundance.
Thi Nai Lagoon covers an area of around 5,000 hectares, including the Chim Islet ecological zone, which spans about 480 hectares and is known as Gia Lai’s “green oasis.” Within this eco-area, Chim islet is regarded as an ecological “treasure trove,” home to hundreds of species of fish, shrimp, and wild birds living together in abundance.