More than 4,000 Asian openbills, an endangered species in Việt Nam, have been foraging for food near Đầm River in Quảng Nam Province’s Tam Kỳ Town. VNA/VNS Photo

HCM CITY – Visitors will have a rare chance to see more than 4,000 Asian openbills, an endangered species in Việt Nam, congregate near Đầm River in Quảng Nam Province’s Tam Kỳ Town.

The bird, whose scientific name is Anatomus oscitans, is listed in Việt Nam's Red Book. They recently began visiting to forage at Đầm River, which is located about four kilometers from the center of Tam Kỳ Town.

The best time to see the bird is in the morning when the Asian openbills look for yellow snails, frogs, crabs and large insects along the river or surrounding rice fields. Yellow snails destroy local rice crops, but they are a favorite food of Asian openbills.

The bird has a 10-cm beak and its feet are red and about 20 cm long each. Boasting a large wing span, an Asian openbill typically weighs over one kg.

The best way to explore Đầm River is by boat, which will cost VND200,000 (US$8.6) per vessel, which can carry four to 10 people. – VNS