Since the 1980's, the global milky stork population has declined from 5,000 to 2,000 individuals due to habitat destruction, overfishing and illegal smuggling of chicks.

[4][6] The extensive white portion of the plumage is completely suffused with a pale creamy yellow during the breeding season, hence the term “milky”.

[9] It is distinguished from other waders such as egrets and lesser adjutants by its extensively white body plumage and black wing coverts.

[15] Across all ages in this species, the iris is dark brown; and the legs are pinkish, but appear white due to a covering of the birds’ excreta.

[10] It occurs in Sumatra (its global stronghold), Java, Sulawesi, eastern Malaysia, Cambodia, southern Vietnam (where it probably largely recolonised after the war of 1963–75[4]), Bali, Sumbawa, Lombok and Buton.

[15][22] The milky stork is predominantly a lowland coastal species throughout its range; where it inhabits mangrove, freshwater and peat swamps, and estuaries.

[23] Breeding is probably slightly earlier in Java given that eggs have been found in nests here as early as March,[4][11] with one report of a clutch fledging in July (Hoogerwerf, 1936).

[15] Further, some colonies in South Sumatra have been located far inland at brackish lakes or freshwater swamps in Alstonia trees reaching up to 60 m high.

[30] The nests are sturdy, bulky structures measuring about 50 cm in diameter and predominantly comprising medium live sticks of Avicenna species on which many leaves are still attached.

[4][33] Courtship consists of repeated bowing and bill-raising from both partners, who stand opposite each other and perform this display in a mirror action.

Since the mid-1970s, this island has been connected with the Javan mainland through rapid coastal accretion; whereupon easy human access led to large-scale deforestation for firewood harvest.

[14][15] One hybrid of a male lesser adjutant and female milky stork was also hatched at Jurong Bird Park, Singapore.

[7] In Malaysia, the core of the diet appears to comprise mudskippers of Periophthalmus and Gobiidae 10–23 cm long;[9][15] although catfish Arius spp.

[10] Other prey recorded from South Sumatra include milkfish, giant mudskipper (Periophthalmodon schlosseri), mullet species of Moolgards and Chelon,[10] eel catfish (Plotosus canius), fourfinger threadfin (Eleutheronema tetradactylum), and Chinese silver pomfret (Pampus chinesis).

[13] Because feeding begins before all young have hatched, the youngest (and smallest) chicks are competitively disadvantaged and commonly die of starvation, especially since the parent bird does not appear to distribute food equally among the brood.

[22] The milky stork's daily food intake has been estimated at 630 g wet weight, which may be able to be met within two hours at maximum foraging intensity.

[25] Milky storks also forage in flocks at high prey density, whereby they cooperatively flush fish in shallow water to divert them to their half-open bills; as has been observed in Java.

[15] Breeding colonies have also declined through increased illegal international trade in this bird from the mid-1980s[23][39] and, especially in South Sumatra, poaching of eggs and juveniles for human consumption.

[22] The milky stork was essentially eliminated from Vietnam through widespread destruction of mangrove swamps during the Southeast Asian War in 1963–75.

[4][23] Subsequent large-scale reforestation may however have led to some recolonization;[23] although the species has also suffered long-term effects of herbicide application in Southern Vietnam in later years.

In South Sumatra, monitor lizards, especially Varanus salvator, have been reported to predate milky stork eggs and juveniles.

[10] In Matang Mangrove Forest in Malaysia, brahminy kites, water monitor lizards, and common palm civets (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus) are potential (nest) predators and probably contribute to low survival here.

[34] On Pulau Rambut, potential predators include reticulated python, cat snakes (especially Boiga dendrophila), and Brahminy kite.

[40] Another potential threat to the milky stork is contamination of its natural habitat with elevated concentrations of ions of metals such as copper, zinc and lead.

Sources of this observed contamination include use of agrochemicals in Kuala Gula, corrosion and runoff from jetties and boats coated with these metals, and aquaculture development.

The first successful milky stork reintroduction was carried out in Kuala Selangor Nature Park in 1998 with the release of 10 captive-bred individuals here.

[22] Matang Mangrove Forest in Malaysia has been a popular candidate reintroduction site because this area is considered a suitable milky stork habitat in terms of shelter, breeding and feeding grounds; and there are apparently minimal threats from predators and parasites.

[10] The milky stork is well known among Indonesian locals and is readily distinguished by them in the field from other waders; although it has at least historically been commonly (and sometimes illegally) harvested for meat and eggs.

[10] Like many other wading bird species, the milky stork is also sometimes considered a minor pest in the aquaculture industry by feeding on commercial fish and shrimps.

[1] The Cambodian population is very small, numbering 100–150 individuals; and although it may be relatively stable, rapid declines are expected if serious threats persist.