# 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! - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Wetlands - **Also known as:** Undertaker Bird ![Marabou Stork](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Leptoptilos_crumeniferus_-near_Kwara_Camp%252C_North-West_District%252C_Botswana-8.jpg&width=800) Photo: Benjamin Hollis from Seattle, WA, USA, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Leptoptilos_crumeniferus_-near_Kwara_Camp%252C_North-West_District%252C_Botswana-8.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Ciconiiformes - **Family:** Ciconiidae - **Genus:** Leptoptilos ## 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 - **Thermal Soarer:** Marabou Storks can fly for hours without flapping because they skillfully use rising warm air currents to glide. - **Scavenger's Strength:** Marabou Storks have a huge, powerful beak that helps them tear apart tough hides and carrion. - **Cooling Pouch:** 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 - **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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Scavenger](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/scavenger): Scavengers consume dead organic matter, helping to decompose carcasses and other waste in the ecosystem. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/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. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Keep a safe distance and watch quietly; these birds can be startled easily. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Marabou Stork? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Marabou Stork? 110-152 cm ### What is Marabou Stork's wingspan? 225-287 cm ### How much does Marabou Stork weigh? 4-9 kg ### How long does Marabou Stork live? 20-30 years ### How fast can Marabou Stork move? 50 km/h ### What does Marabou Stork eat? They are nature's cleanup crew, eating carrion, scraps, and small animals to keep habitats tidy. ### Where is Marabou Stork usually found? Wetlands ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Marabou Stork: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/marabou-stork)