Marabou stork

The marabou stork is among the largest of the 20 stork species. Although its body is like that of other storks, its head resembles those of vultures. This large bird is impressive for its 10-foot (three meter) wingspan and its habit of flying at altitudes of 15,000 feet (4,500 meters) or more. The marabou stork is native to Africa.

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Aves

Order: Ciconiiformes

Family: Ciconiidae

Genus: Leptoptilos

Species: Crumenifer

Standing at four to five feet (one to 1 1/2 meters), the marabou stork is among the largest storks and one of the largest birds in the world. It may weigh up to 20 pounds (nine kilograms), although this is not typical. Such a large bird also needs a great wingspan to fly. The wingspan of the marabou stork is up to 10 feet (three meters). It is common for the stork to rise to altitudes of 15,000 feet (4,500 meters) or more where it soars and glides on the high-flowing air currents.

The slate-gray feathers on the backs and wings of these storks contrasts with the white plumage on the undersides of their bodies. A white ruff, or collar, of feathers may encircle their bare, pink necks below their small, pink, bald heads. From the throat of each bird hangs a large, featherless, pink sac, or pouch. The birds may inflate or deflate these sacs with a series of air sacs connected to their nostrils. The sacs may be up to 16 inches (40 centimeters) when filled with air. The storks often rest their long, thick, heavy, sharp bills on these large throat sacs when they are inflated. It is possible that they may also store food in these sacs. They also inflate the sacs when they are courting and mating. Marabou storks have long, gray legs. In general, the bodies of these storks are similar to those of other storks, but their heads and necks more closely resemble those of vultures.

Like other storks, the marabou wades in the water with its long legs. As it walks and wades in the water or along the shore it snatches frogs, snakes, rodents, and other small mammals wherever it may find them. On land, the marabou preys upon grasshoppers and locusts and robs other birds' nests of eggs and chicks. Typically, it steals from the nests of flamingos and red- billed queleas. Because its diet is comprised of meat, the marabou stork is a carnivore.

The largest part of the marabou's diet, however, is carrion, or dead animal flesh. Like the vulture, the marabou flies high above the ground and searches for carcasses, or dead animal bodies. Sources of such food for this scavenger are deer, antelope, buffalo, and other large mammals. The marabou's sharp bill cuts into the carcasses and tears the carrion into bite-sized pieces. Because the marabou does not have feathers on its head or neck, it does not have a problem with blood getting into its feathers as it eats.

Marabou storks most often live in small flocks. These flocks live in Africa's open wetlands, rivers, and lakes, as well as dry, open regions of woodland and savanna. They do not migrate except that birds from the northern and southern parts of the range may fly to central Africa when they breed.

Breeding season is at the end of the rainy season and the start of the dry season. Colonies breed where food is plentiful. Each male and female work to build the small nest of sticks in a large tree or among rocks. Incubation for the two to three eggs lasts one month, and both parents take turns warming the eggs. The chicks hatch during the dry season when plenty of carrion is available, since many large mammals die without enough water. As watering holes shrink in size and become shallower, fish are easy to catch also to feed the chicks. Before they eat carrion or fish, however, the young eat regurgitated earthworms. Four months after hatching, the young are able to fly from the nest, but they remain with their parents for two weeks longer. The young do not mate until they are three to four years old, and as adults do not mate every year. They may live to be between 25 and 40 years old.

Grunts, croaks, and snorts are common sounds to hear coming from the throat of these storks.

Although this large bird has a fierce presence, lions and leopards may prey on the marabou stork. One threat to the storks used to be for their feathers to decorate women's clothing. The greatest threat now is the loss of habitat. Marabou storks are not a threatened species.

Bibliography

“Marabou Stork - Bird.” Kruger National Park, 2024, www.krugerpark.co.za/africa‗marabou‗stork.html. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.

“Marabou Stork - Facts, Diet, Habitat, & Pictures on Animalia.bio.” Animalia, 2024, animalia.bio/marabou-stork. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.