| Photo Information |
Copyright: Ingrid Shaul (ingridshaul)
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 50 W: 8 N: 123]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif) (347) |
| Genre: Animals |
| Medium: Color |
| Date Taken: 2007-04-17 |
| Categories: Birds |
| Photo Version: Original Version |
| Date Submitted: 2009-10-27 9:47 |
| Viewed: 186 |
| Points: 10 |
|
| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
The Invalid is a
MARABOU STORK - LEPTOPTILOS CRUMENIFERUS
MAIN DIET: Reptiles, other Birds, any smaller animals, Aquatic life forms, general scavenger habits
BREEDING AND NESTING HABITS: The Marabou Stork is monogamous unless its mate dies. In the event of a partner dying Leptoptilos crumeniferus will seek out a new mate. The nesting habit of Marabou Stork is to create the nest in branches of a tree or shrub. The bird lays eggs (1-4) which are white in colour.
HABITAT AND FLOCKING BEHAVIOUR: The preferred habitats for Marabou Stork are woodlands. They live in large, messy colonies, often sharing space with other bird species, creating a cacophony - which is quite considerable. They are widely distributed across Southern Africa, in both wet and dry regions, and they are common subjects of interest among visitors to the region. In urban areas, the marabou stork is treated as a pest, as the bird can be quite obnoxious and messy, the faeces smelling strongly.
APPEARANCE
Like other storks, the marabou stork has long legs which facilitate wading. Because it is a carrion eater, it has a bald head, which tends to be bright red. They also have a distinctive inflatable pink sac at their throats. The beak of the marabou stork is heavy and straight, designed for cracking apart carcasses. They are also extremely large (L 145 cm), being among the largest living land birds, with wingspans comparable to that of the condor.
See Marabou Storks at the Vulture Restaurant 1 Link
Link
The marabou stork is part of the system used to break down dead animals, returning the nutrients they contain to the earth. Along with scavengers like hyenas and vultures, the marabou stork pulls bodies apart, making it easier for smaller scavengers and bacteria to break the body down even further. This is where the bald head of the marabou stork comes in handy, as feathers would clot with blood and other materials during the bird's scavenging adventures. ..
PHOTO:
Adult Marabou Stork photographed at a Rehabilitation Centre in Hoedspruit in the late afternoon, the sun on our left.
Unfortunately, local farmers (quite illegally) put poisoned meat in the Bush to kill Hyenas (which kill Ostriches at night, when they sit down and are easy prey) – thus poisoning Marabou Storks. If they are found in time and survive – the birds nearly always remain partly paralysed i.e. unable to fly…
This Invalid was just “standing around” - and I was able to approach it – while talking to the animal. To be honest, I was terrified. I am only 160 cm tall (small), the bird’s head was just below my chin, and soon it started to look rather interested at my naked toes…
P.S. I am not invalid – but will be off air for some weeks, because we are going to a Lodge, where are no communications/Internet |
jmirah, goldyrs, ferranjlloret has marked this note useful
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