Marabou storks gather at carcasses, rubbish tips and fishing beaches. They are ugly, but they play a useful role as scavengers.
Waterbirds
Marabou Stork
Leptoptilos crumenifer
A huge, bare-headed stork that scavenges alongside vultures.
Size
Wingspan up to 3.2 m
Lifespan
25 years
Diet
Carrion, fish and scraps.
Habitat
Open plains, wetlands and towns.
About the marabou stork
Did you know?
01
It has one of the widest wingspans of any land bird.
02
Its bare head helps keep it clean when feeding.
03
It often soars high on thermals.
When to see it
Seen all year round; the best sightings depend on where you are.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
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Aug
Sep
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Dec
Trips that go there
Where to meet the marabou stork
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