City - Krugersdorp State - GAUTENG Country - South Africa
About
The Marabou Stork, Leptoptilos crumeniferus, is a large wading bird in the stork family Ciconiidae. It breeds in Africa south of the Sahara, occurring in both wet and arid habitats, often near human habitation, especially waste tips. It is sometimes called the "undertaker bird," due to its shape from behind: cloak-like wings and back, skinny white legs, and sometimes, a large white mass of "hair."
A massive bird, large specimens are thought to reach a height of 150 cm (60 in), a weight of over 9 kg (20 lbs) and have a wingspan of at least 3.2 m (10.5 ft). In the last regard, it shares the distinction of having the largest wingspan of any landbird with the Andean Condor. Unlike most storks, the three Leptoptilos species fly with the neck retracted like a heron.
The Marabou is unmistakable due to its size, bare head and neck, black back, and white underparts. It has a huge bill, a pink gular sack at its throat, a neck ruff, and black legs and wings. The sexes are alike, but the young bird is browner and has a smaller bill. Full maturity is not reached for up to four years.
Like most storks, the Marabou is gregarious and a colonial breeder. In the African dry season (when food is more readily available as the pools shrink) it builds a tree nest in which two or three eggs are laid.
This large and powerful bird will eat different kinds of animals, either alive or as carrion, including small mammals, reptiles, and similar prey. Living prey includes termites, fish, locusts, grasshoppers, caterpillars, frogs, rodents, crocodile eggs and hatchlings, quelea nestlings, doves, young and adult flamingos, cormorant nestlings, and pelican chicks.
Enjoy your breakfast and have a relaxing Sunday, Jenxx
Skinny, please no, I hate skinny girls, you feel all the bones when .. ;-) The more Jen, the more to love. Otherwise send me a picture and I will tell you what parts should be more skinny. I will treat the photo pure confidential and professional.
Thank you Gosia, great you like my pretty bird:)) My and my daughter had so much fun with this one, its unbelievable they just are there walking in wild! xxJen
Awwww...he looks so shy,not the most beautiful one but he has a sweet face expression!!Perhaps he was thinking on your daughter...LOL!!!Great capture with many details and very sharp and clear my sweet friend!! How is the weather by you?? At the moment the sun is shining but it is not very warm:(! Will stay at home and will look Olympia..LOL!! No I don'thave an Tennisarm,but I'm too much at the computer.It is not the first time but this time it is more painful! Anyway I wish you a nice Sunday:)))) Big hugs, Nicki
Wowww....maybe I should bring you in contact with her my dearest rif:))) She might love you as soon as she sees you! At least she has curls and being skinny, hope that doesnt make you jealous..lolll Thanks for liking this humble birdie, big kiss and hugs, jenxx
Hmmmmm.....you made my day my sweety:)) These Marabu's look amazing, soo huge and different, nothing seems to fit in this bird, very stocky, wish I was a bit more skinny too:))) Wel héél lief van je, Jenxx
Hahaaa...I am happy you like this pretty bird Brigitte, they look so funny and are really huge! My poor daughter was chased by one and run off, I was laughing my head off:)) I think this is a lady, the males are even worse to see, will see if I have one....:))) Wishing you a lovely Sunday, big hugs Jenxx
i am in love with her:))))))) lol :)))))) what an ugly bird is this:)) very well captured as all details as usual!! compliments my dear jen, hugs and kisses, arif
I love the title and yes, he is indeed pretty. Love that curly "hair" on top of his head. And what a darling expression on his face. Beautiful shot, Jen!! Thanks for sharing him with us - what a great bird!!
You should see her legs, wonderful, long and skinny dear:)) They were quite scary, came after Charlotte with their wings spread out, she was running like mad...lolll
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