Scientifically known as “Leptoptilos crumenifer”, Marabou storks are one of the Ugly Five Animals of Africa and sometimes casually referred as the “unofficial National Bird in Uganda”. This huge wading bird belongs to the stork family of “Ciconiidae” and usually breeds around both arid and wet habitats, generally close to human habitation especially rubbish or garbage dumps.
Sometimes referred as the undertaker birds given their appearances with backs and wings appearing cloak-like from behind.
Size and physical description
These large birds can reach a height of 152 centimeters, have wingspan of over 3.7 meters and can weigh up to between 4.5 and 10 kilograms. Their bills can extend between 26 and 35 centimeters. Additionally, these storks are well defined because of their massive sizes, bare necks and heads, white underparts and black backs. Huge bills, pink gular sacs at their throats, black wings and legs as well as neck ruffs make them indisputable.
Breeding and reproduction
Marabou storks are generally social birds and breed in colonies, and build tree nests with two or three eggs beginning during the dry season. These storks are surprisingly easily angered. Their incubation period is 30 days with both sexes incubating the eggs. Young ones are born helpless but are fed and cared for by both sexes and fledging starts between 3 and 4 months. They reach sexual maturity at 4 years and have a lifespan of 41 years in captivity and 25 years in the wild. Funnily, Marabou storks are attracted to grass fires and have the capability of marching in front of an approaching fire to snatch escaping animals.
Diet and feeding habits
Marabou storks are generally scavengers with their bare heads as well as long necks being adapted to their way of life. Their diet usually comprises of faeces, decaying flesh of dead animals and scraps although can consume almost any animal matter they can swallow. They are also known to eat smaller birds especially Quelea nestlings, pelicans, pigeons, cormorant chicks and sometimes even the flamingos. Interestingly, they can consume frogs and snakes while adults can reduce on decaying flesh of dead animals during the breeding season. They can opt for small and live preys such as nestlings, frogs, fish, snakes, eggs and lizards.
Where to see the Marabou storks
Marabou storks are native to Tropical Africa near wetlands or semi-arid savannahs as well as grasslands of countries like Namibia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, South Africa, Senegal, Somalia and Uganda. In Uganda, you will mainly see them near fishing villages, garbage dumps and local Abattoirs.
