Order: Ciconiiformes
Family: Threskiornithidae
Status: Category III (VU). Vulnerable species.

Importance: The nominative subspecies Platalea leucorodia Linnaeus, 1758 occurs in Turkmenistan. Its conservation is vital for the entire Central Asian fauna.

Distribution: During migration, found in the Amudarya River valley, Caspian coast, Sarygamysh Lake. Outside Turkmenistan: Europe, Northeast Africa, southern Russia, Central and South Asia. Wintering areas include Southeastern China, India, the Persian Gulf, the western Red Sea coast, southern Mediterranean, and the Nile Valley.

Habitat: River valleys, seashores, lakes, reservoirs, and other large water bodies.

Population and trends: In 1938, flocks up to 500 were recorded in the lower Etrek River. Between 1977 and 1990, numbers ranged from 132 to 1352 in spring migration and 21 to 178 in autumn. In 1990, 126 birds were counted in the middle Amudarya in spring, up to 200 in autumn. Between 2006-2014, it was recorded 8 times in spring and 5 times in autumn along the Caspian coast. Groups of 10-20 were noted in the Amudarya valley between 2010-2018. One or two individuals were seen at Sarygamysh Lake in 2011-2012.

Threats: Changes in hydrological regimes leading to habitat degradation.

Biology: Migratory species. Spring migration from February-March to May; autumn in September-October. Historically nested in small colonies along river valleys with herons and cormorants. Lays 3-5 eggs; nestlings hatch in June. Feeds on small fish, frogs, insects, mollusks, and crustaceans.

Breeding: Not systematically recorded.

Conservation: Listed in IUCN Red List (LC), included in Turkmenistan's Red Book since 1985. Habitats in wetlands are protected areas. Included in CITES Appendix II, Bonn Convention Annex II, AEWA Annex. Protected in all reserves and sanctuaries.

Recommendations: Raise public awareness, monitor Sarygamysh Lake for breeding activity, monitor migration routes.