Least Concern Marabou Stork
Leptoptilos crumenifer
Also known as: Undertaker Bird
The Marabou Stork is a massive bird from sub-Saharan Africa, often called the 'undertaker bird' due to its cloak-like wings and sombre appearance. It is a scavenger that frequents rubbish dumps and carcass sites, using its huge throat pouch to display dominance. Despite its ungainly looks on the ground, it is a graceful flyer with hollow leg bones to reduce weight.
Did you know?
Marabou storks often feed alongside vultures at carcasses and have the largest wingspan of any land bird in Africa. Quick Facts
Detailed Information on the Marabou Stork
Weight
7 kg
Height
150 cm
Length
152 cm
Wingspan
270 cm
Top Speed
40
km/h
Social Structure:
Gregarious
Activity Pattern:
Diurnal
Trophic Level: Scavenger
Migration: Resident/Partially migratory
Population Trend: Increasing
Main Threats:
- Pollution
- Human persecution
Kampala (Uganda)
Kruger National Park
Family: Ciconiidae
Order: Ciconiiformes
