The marabou stork 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". It has often been credited with the largest wingspan of any land bird, with an average of 2.6 metres (8.5 ft) and some recorded examples of up to 3.2 metres (10 ft).
Region
Sub-Saharan Africa
Typical Environment
Found across savannas, grasslands, wetlands, lake shores, and river margins, as well as in arid scrub and human-modified landscapes. Common around fishing villages, abattoirs, and refuse dumps where food is abundant. Nests are typically placed in tall trees near water or on cliffs and sometimes on manmade structures. Roosts communally in large trees or on pylons. Often occurs near colonies of other large waterbirds.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2000 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Marabou storks are prolific scavengers that frequent carcasses, fisheries, and urban landfill sites, often alongside vultures. Their bare head and neck help keep them clean while feeding on carrion, and they possess a large inflatable throat sac used in displays. They often defecate on their legs to aid cooling in hot climates, which can make the legs appear white. With a vast wingspan, they soar efficiently on thermals and are sometimes dubbed the 'undertaker bird' for their dark, cloaked appearance.
In Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda
A marabou stork and Griffon vultures (G. fulvus) scavenging in the Masai Mara, Kenya
1920 cloak, hem trimmed with marabou feathers
Temperament
bold and opportunistic
Flight Pattern
soaring glider
Social Behavior
Often gathers in large groups at food sources and roosts communally. Breeds colonially, building large stick nests high in trees near water; both sexes incubate and care for the young. Associates with vultures at carcasses and exploits human refuse in towns.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
Generally silent, lacking a true song. Produces bill-clattering, croaks, and grunts, with the throat sac amplifying display sounds at colonies.
Plumage
Dark, glossy-black upperparts with contrasting white underparts and a shaggy white neck ruff; head and neck largely bare with sparse down. Feathers are dense and cloak-like, giving a caped silhouette at rest.
Diet
Primarily scavenges carrion and human refuse, but also takes fish, frogs, insects (including locust swarms), small mammals, and nestling birds. Often steals scraps from vultures or follows grass fires to catch fleeing prey. Will patrol shorelines and drying pools for stranded fish.
Preferred Environment
Feeds at carcasses on open savannas, at landfill sites and abattoirs, and along riverbanks, lake edges, and floodplains. Also forages in agricultural fields and wetlands where water levels recede.
