Animal Name: Marabou Stork

Scientific Names: Leptoptilos crumenifer

Home » Marabou Stork

Marabou Stork Introduction

The marabou stork (Leptoptilos crumenifer) is a large wading bird in the stork family Ciconiidae native to sub-Saharan Africa. It breeds in both wet and arid habitats, often near human habitation, especially landfill sites. 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".

Description of Marabou Stork

The marabou stork is a massive bird: large specimens are thought to reach a height of 152 centimetres (4.99 feet) and a weight of 9 kg (20 lb). A wingspan of 3.7 m (12 ft) was accepted by Fisher and Peterson, who ranked the species as having the largest wing-spread of any living bird. Even higher measurements of up to 4.06 m (13.3 ft) have been reported, although no measurement over 3.20 m (10.5 ft) has been verified. It is often credited with the largest spread of any landbird.
Images of Marabou Stork

Obtain a personalized quote that suits your preferences and budget.

Do you have a question about an African safari?

Check the National Parks

Kidepo Valley National Park

Kidepo Valley National Park

The park contains two rivers – Kidepo and Narus – which disappear in the dry season, leaving just pools for the wildlife. The local communities around the park include pastoral Karamojong people, similar to the Maasai of Kenya, and the IK, a hunter-gatherer tribe...

Rwenzori Mountains National Park

Rwenzori Mountains National Park

The park was gazette in 1991 and was recognized as a World Heritage site in 1994 and a Ramsar site in 2008. Highest point: 5,109m above sea level on Mt Stanley’s Margherita Peak. The border with DR Congo bisects Mt. Stanley. The Rwenzori is not volcanic like East...

Semuliki National Park

Semuliki National Park

c It is the only tract of true lowland tropical forest in East Africa, hosting 441 recorded bird species and 53 mammals. Large areas of this low-lying park may flood during the wet season, a brief reminder of the time when the entire valley lay at the bottom of a lake...

These animal can be found in these game reserves