The black-necked stork (Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus) is a tall, long-necked wading bird from the stork family that frequents lagoons and adjoining grasslands. These birds have a black and white body with a glossy blackish-blue iridescent head and neck. The sexes are similar, but the male has brown irises, while the female’s are yellow. This stork species is carnivorous, feeding on a wide range of prey, including small birds, aquatic animals, amphibians, and reptiles.

In Sri Lanka, the black-necked stork is largely confined to the dry lowlands in the southeast of the island, primarily being observed in Kumana National Park and Yala National Park. The resident population of black-necked storks in Sri Lanka is sparse, with fewer than 50 individuals remaining on the island.