Marabou Stork

Leptoptilos crumenifer

Animal Class: Birds

Height: 54-60 inches

Weight: 9-18 pounds

Wingspan: Up to 120 inches (verified), possibly as wide as 156 inches

Lifespan: Around 25 years in the wild, sometimes more than 40 years in human care

Diet: Marabou storks are opportunistic scavengers and will eat live prey or carrion

Habitat: Found throughout much of Africa south of the Sahara desert wherever there is food and sufficient water

Description: Marabou storks are unique-looking birds with “bald” bright pink heads, large orange beaks, grey legs, and white feathers on their chest and bodies. Their wide, black wings have given them the nickname of “undertaker bird.”

Marabou storks breed during the dry season, and will gather in groups to find mates. Males use the large, pink air sac on their necks to display dominance and court females. It’s also used for thermoregulation and communication in both sexes.

Our Animals: Ethel