Skip to content

Villagers Knew Painted Storks Well but Saw Wetland Loss and Crop Damage as Key Problems

Painted stork in flight at Salai, Uttar Pradesh, India
Conservation · Human–wildlife conflict

People living alongside breeding painted storks (Mycteria leucocephala) in two villages in Uttar Pradesh, India, showed extensive local knowledge of the species, but also described costs and threats associated with coexistence. Researchers surveyed 200 residents of Farhadpura and Usrai in Etawah District during August and September 2024, where the storks nest in trees in agricultural fields.

Every respondent was able to identify the species, and most knew its local name, breeding ecology, foraging ecology and population trend. Fifty-two per cent said they liked painted storks and 51% supported their conservation. Fifty-eight per cent were willing to participate in awareness programmes and 47% in nest-monitoring training. At the same time, 64% did not know the species’ conservation status, 48% were reluctant to report hunting and 46% were reluctant to take injured birds to a veterinarian.

Storks were linked to both benefits and costs

Respondents identified 12 ecosystem services and five disservices associated with the storks. Pest control was the most frequently cited service, mentioned by 50%, while crop destruction was the most frequently cited disservice, mentioned by 72%. Forty-four per cent regarded the species as harmful, primarily because droppings were said to fall on and damage crops.

Wetland loss was the main perceived threat

Wetland loss was the most frequently cited threat, reported by 59% of respondents. Villagers told the researchers that wetlands were being encroached upon for agricultural expansion and that painted storks were hunted for meat; during field visits the researchers also observed people throwing stones at chicks in nests. Among suggested responses, 52% of respondents favoured awareness programmes, 50% wetland management and conservation, and 48% said local communities should take the initiative. The authors also emphasise protection of nesting trees in landscapes outside protected areas.

Sources and image credit

  1. Yashmita-Ulman, & Singh, M. (2026). Local knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of ecosystem services and disservices provided by the Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala Pennant, 1769 (Aves: Ciconiidae) in northern India: insights for conservation. Journal of Threatened Taxa, 18(2), 28329–28342. https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.10272.18.2.28329-28342Primary peer-reviewed study published 26 February 2026. Questionnaire survey of 200 residents in Farhadpura and Usrai, Etawah District, Uttar Pradesh. All respondents identified Painted Stork; 52% liked the species and 51% supported conservation. Pest control was the most cited ecosystem service (50%), crop destruction the most cited disservice (72%), and wetland loss the most cited threat (59%). The study also recorded reluctance to report hunting and recommended awareness, wetland management and protection of nesting trees.

Image: Charles J. Sharp / Wikimedia Commons — painted stork (Mycteria leucocephala) in flight at Salai, Uttar Pradesh, India, photographed 24 November 2017; representative Uttar Pradesh image, not from the study site · CC BY-SA 4.0 — https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ · Source

About this content: This story was produced with AI assistance within an editorial workflow developed by Wildlife Vagabond. Editorial responsibility remains with Wildlife Vagabond.How AI is used

Human–wildlife conflict

SPECIES IN THIS STORY

Species in this story

Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala Explore species

Independent research and conservation news archive

Did you find this information useful?

Wildlife Vagabond is independently built and maintained. Voluntary support helps cover source verification, hosting and continued work on research and conservation news.

Support Wildlife Vagabond

The news archive will remain freely available.