Thousands of Asian openbills forage for food in central Vietnam
Visitors will have a rare chance to see more than 4,000 Asian openbills, an endangered species in Vietnam, congregate near Dam River in Quang Nam province’s Tam Ky town.
More than 4,000 Asian openbills, an endangered species in Vietnam, have been foraging for food near Dam River in Quang Nam province’s Tam Ky town (Photo: VNA)
HCMCity (VNS/VNA) – Visitors will have a rare chance to see more than4,000 Asian openbills, an endangered species in Vietnam,congregate near Dam River in Quang Nam province’s Tam Ky town.
The bird, whose scientific name is Anatomusoscitans, is listed in Vietnam’s Red Book. They recently beganvisiting to forage at Dam River, which is located about four kilometersfrom the center of Tam Ky.
The best time to see the bird is in the morning when the Asian openbillslook for yellow snails, frogs, crabs and large insects along theriver or surrounding rice fields. Yellow snails destroy local rice crops,but they are a favorite food of Asian openbills.
The bird has a 10-cm beak and its feet are red and about 20 cm longeach. Boasting a large wing span, an Asian openbill typically weighs over onekg.
The best way to explore Dam River is by boat, which will cost 200,000 VND (8.6USD) per vessel, which can carry four to 10 people./.
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More than 4,000 Asian openbills, an endangered species in Vietnam, have been foraging for food near Dam River in Quang Nam province’s Tam Ky town (Photo: VNA) 
