It is found in Cambodia, western Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Java and Sulawesi. It is predominantly a coastal species, in contrast to its near relative the Painted Stork (M. leucocephala), foraging on tidal mudflats, in saline pools, freshwater marshes, fishponds and rice paddies, and nesting in bordering mangroves or swamp forest. It is only now encountered inland in flooded forest around Lake Tonle Sap in Cambodia, from where the birds disperse in the wet season, possibly to the coast. It prefers to eat large mudskippers but also takes small fish, snakes, and frogs. It was formerly classed as "Vulnerable" but ongoing and severe population declines has led to its reclassificed as "Endangered". The global population since 2008 has been, at least, halved. Habitat loss due to the conversion of tidal forests, including mangroves, for fish farming and rice cultivation is a major threat, but hunting of adults and the taking of eggs and chicks for food are also severe problems.