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Marabou Stork

Leptoptilos crumenifer

Published on Project Noah
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7.06819, 38.4521

Field Notes

Description:

This emblematic african scavenger is a wading bird from the stork family (Ciconiidae). This huge stork is some 120 to 150 cm in height and has somewhat prehistoric appearance - every time I see it, I think of pterodactyls or something of that sort. Massive dark-grey to black wings contrast with white body. Long naked neck, with a large pendulous frontal poach. Head also naked and pinkish in colour, with a massive blade-like grey to light brown beak. Grey legs.

Habitat:

This huge scavenger is present almost everywhere in sub-Saharan Africa, in various habitats - wetlands, grasslands, savanna... where it competes with vultures for feed. It is also often close to human habitats, and there always close to dumps and abattoirs. Here, on shores of lake Awasa, in a wooded area close to the town.

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