- Leptoptilos crumeniferus
Identification
115–152 cm (45¼-60 in)
- Bare head and neck
- Black back
- White underparts
- Large bill
- Pink throat sack
- Neck ruff
- Black legs and wings
The sexes are alike
Young birds are browner with a smaller bill. They take up to four years to fully mature.
Distribution
Sub-Saharan Africa .
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species[1].
Habitat
Wet and arid habitats.
Behaviour
Breeding
It builds a tree nest in which 2-3 eggs are laid.
Diet
Diet includes different kinds of animals, either alive or as carrion, including small mammals, reptiles, and similar prey. Living prey includes termites, fish, locusts, grasshoppers, caterpillars, frogs, rodents, crocodile eggs and hatchlings, quelea nestlings, doves, young and adult flamingos, cormorant nestlings, and pelican chicks.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2016. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2016, with updates to August 2016. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Avian Web
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Marabou Stork. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 27 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Marabou_Stork
External Links
