Cannot find this stork in Japanese bird books

[David in Miyazaki]

Saw this stork today in a field. Tail wings seem to be damaged. Is it malting? It looks like a Yellow billed Stork from East Africa, certainly not a bird to be seen in the wild here in Miyazaki Japan. I did phone the Zoo but they are not missing any birds. Can anyone confirm this identification please. Thanks. I have put three photos of different angles in my photo album.

http://surfbirds.com/albums/showphoto.php?photo=5846&cat=542

[markharper]

It is actually an Asian species, Painted Stork, a Yellow-billed Stork would not have the dark breast band.

[JanJ]

Right.

Very tabu with Zoo images, but this one is rather similar in stance.

http://www.angelo.edu/faculty/kboudrea/lagniappe/pictures_san_antonio_zoo_4/5_Painted_Stork.JPG

JanJ

[David in Miyazaki]

Thanks for that. That makes a little more sense. I wonder how rare this siting must be?

[AndyB]

Posting link to other thread on this bird (http://surfbirds.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3256)

[David in Miyazaki]

I better bring this thread to a close as it is almost 100% confirmed to be an escapee from the local zoo, or rather is allowed to free fly from the zoo.