© H. Çağlar Güngör
© Michael O'Brien
© Alexander Lees
© Forest Botial-Jarvis
+ 3
© David Fraser
© Joel Adams

Marabustork Leptoptilos crumenifer

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Identification

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This huge, macabre-looking stork has a massive dagger-like bill and naked pink head and neck that appear severely sunburned. A white ruff and loose inflatable skin on the neck add to its odd appearance. It soars effortlessly at great heights searching for food; note its white belly in flight. Marabous are equally content in wetlands or in dry bush; they are most frequently encountered lurking near carrion, as they attend kills of major predators and will opportunistically snatch scraps. They also readily scavenge around humans and waste dumps.

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