One of the largest flock of painted storks ( Mycteria leucocephala), approximately 4,000 birds, have made tall trees in Veepapuram and Venkatapuram villages in Chilamathur mandal of Sri Sathya Sai district their breeding ground, and are currently looking after 6,000 chicks. By May-end to June-end when the chicks are more than three months old, they will fly away along with adults. They mostly inhabit wetlands in the plains breed closer to undisturbed/protected trees
Copious amounts of rain received in the region during last monsoon has made it the most favourable breeding ground for these colourful winged guests. While painted storks have been coming to these villages for more than 25 years, the numbers have slowly risen. While it was only 2,500 to 3,000 in 2019, two years of good rains has brought enough shallow water into the both village tanks making them the right wading grounds for the painted storks, who survive on small fish, and occasionally on frogs and snakes.
Venugopal Reddy, a resident of Veerapuram, had been looking after the birds and chicks that fall to the ground and feeding them by providing protection from dogs, eagles, and other predators. Andhra Pradesh Department of Forests had appointed him as the watch and ward and promised to give some honorarium along with money for medicines to tend to the birds. Divisional Forest Officer G.P. Anand said they had sought funds for this activity in their budget.
