Marabou Stork

Leptoptilos crumenifer

The Marabou Stork is a large bird with long legs and a big beak. It often stands near water and is known for its unique, fluffy neck. These birds are great at finding food in muddy places!

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The Marabou Stork is a very large bird with a dull grey back and white belly. It has a distinctive bald, pinkish head and neck, and a massive, wedge-shaped bill. A large, inflatable pink throat pouch hangs from its neck, giving it a unique, somewhat hunched appearance.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderCiconiiformesFamilyCiconiidaeGenusLeptoptilos

Marabou Stork

Interesting facts

Its huge, bald head and neck can look wrinkly, like old leather!

Marabou Storks are so tall, they can stand over a meter high!

They often cool off by standing with their wings spread wide open.

They often scavenge near lions to snatch their leftover meals!

Special abilities

Marabou Storks can fly for hours without flapping because they skillfully use rising warm air currents to glide.

Marabou Storks have a huge, powerful beak that helps them tear apart tough hides and carrion.

Marabou Storks have an inflatable throat pouch that helps them regulate their body temperature in hot climates.

Measurements & details

Length: 110-152 cm
Wingspan: 225-287 cm
Weight: 4-9 kg
Lifespan: 20-30 years
Top Speed: 50 km/h
Clutch Size: 2-3
Incubation: 30-32 days

Diet & Feeding

They are nature's cleanup crew, eating carrion, scraps, and small animals to keep habitats tidy.

Primary Foods

Carrion
Fish
Insects
Small mammals
Human refuse

Foraging Method

Scavenging

Ecological connections

eats

Lion

Panthera leo

Eats carrion left by lions.

eats

African Buffalo

Syncerus caffer

Scavenges on carcasses of these large mammals.

symbiotic with

African White-backed Vulture

Gyps africanus

Often shares carrion sites with vultures for cleanup.

eats

Redbelly Tilapia

Tilapia zillii

Preys on small fish in wetlands.

Traits

Feathered

Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers.

Social

Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.

Omnivorous

This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter.

Scavenger

Scavengers consume dead organic matter, helping to decompose carcasses and other waste in the ecosystem.

Wetland

This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs.