The marabou stork (Leptoptilos crumenifer) is a large wading in the family native to . It breeds in both wet and arid habitats, often near human habitation, especially sites. It is sometimes called the " bird" due to its shape from behind: cloak-like wings and back, skinny white legs, and sometimes a large white mass of "hair".[] It has the largest of any land bird, with an average of 2.6 metres (8.5 ft) and some recorded examples of up to 3.2 metres (10 ft).
The marabou is unmistakable due to its size, bare head and neck, black back, and white underparts. It has a huge bill, a pink at its throat (crumenifer(us) means "carrier of a pouch for money"), a neck ruff, and white legs and black wings. The sexes are alike, but the young bird is browner and has a smaller bill. Full maturity is not reached for up to four years.
These storks have an extremely large range and can be found throughout Sub-Saharan Africa. These birds inhabit open dry savannas, grasslands, swamps, riverbanks, lake shores, and receding pools where fish are concentrated.
Marabou storks are opportunistic feeders and eat a wide variety of foods including carrion and food waste left by people. They are often seen foraging at rubbish dumps and abattoirs. They also prey on a broad range of animals including fish, frogs, lizards, snakes, rats, mice and birds.
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Animals On Earth: Africa
RandomHere's the second book of the Animals On Earth Series, this time it's about African Animals which includes the likes of Elephants, crocodiles, lions, meerkats, mongooses, warthogs, caracals, cheetahs, ostritches, rhinos, tick-birds, buffalo, gazzele...
