Smithsonian magazine's 22nd Annual Photo Contest | Made possible through the support of MPB.com

21st Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
To be voiceless

These Painted stork chicks are able to create loud noises when they are young. But as all members of their species, they become completely voiceless by the age of 18 months. After that they can make sounds by bill-cluttering. Although they are called painted storks, they also do not get their colours until about 3 years old.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 09.2021
Date Uploaded: 11.2023
Photo Location: Kirinda, Sri Lanka
Camera: ILCE-9
Copyright: © Asitha Dissanayake