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Marabou (leptoptilos crumeniferus)


Marabou (leptoptilos crumeniferus)
Photo Information
Copyright: Nel Diepstraten (NellyD) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 237 W: 0 N: 445] (1783)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-01-27
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon 350D
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-02-23 5:40
Viewed: 810
Points: 14
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Taken at the Blijdorp Zoo in Rotterdam.

From Wikipedia:

The Marabou Stork, Leptoptilos crumeniferus, is a large wading bird in the stork family Ciconiidae. It breeds in Africa south of the Sahara, occurring in both wet and arid habitats, often near human habitation, especially waste tips.

A massive bird, large specimens are thought to reach a height of 150 cm (60 in), a weight of over 9 kg (20 lbs) and have a wingspan of at least 3.2 m (10.5 ft). In the last regard, it shares the distinction of having the largest wingspan of any landbird with the Andean Condor. Unlike most storks, the three Leptoptilos species fly with the neck retracted like a heron.

The Marabou is unmistakable due to its size, bare head and neck, black back, and white underparts. It has a huge bill, a pink gular sack at its throat, a neck ruff, and black legs and wings. The sexes are alike, but the young bird is browner and has a smaller bill. Full maturity is not reached for up to four years.

Like most storks, the Marabou is gregarious and a colonial breeder. In the African dry season (when food is more readily available as the pools shrink) it builds a tree nest in which two or three eggs are laid.

It also resembles other storks in that it is not very vocal, but indulges in bill-rattling courtship displays. The throat sack is also used to make various noises at that time.

The Marabou Stork is a frequent scavenger, and the naked head and neck are adaptations to this, as it is with the vultures with which the stork often feeds. In both cases, a feathered head would become rapidly clotted with blood and other substances when the bird's head was inside a large corpse, and the bare head is easier to keep clean.

This large and powerful bird will eat different kinds of animals, either alive or as carrion, including small mammals, reptiles, and similar prey. Living prey includes termites, fish, locusts, grasshoppers, caterpillars, frogs, rodents, crocodile eggs and hatchlings, quelea nestlings, doves, young and adult flamingos, cormorant nestlings, and pelican chicks.
gerbilratz, Alex99, oscarromulus has marked this note useful
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ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To Alex99: Hi Alex,NellyD 1 02-23 09:54
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Critiques [Translate]

Fabulous bird, great feather details, and wonderful information...TFS

Hi Nel.
What a splendid mister (or I am mistaken and this is woman?) I like cropping very much and accent on the main features. Perfect exposure, natural colours and terrific details and sharpness. Bravo.
Alexei.

Hello Nel,
This is a very fine close up of this huge Stork!
excellent exposure and focus which gives a good clarity, natural colour and details
well done
best regards
tony

Nel,
This is, IS a BEAUTIFUL portrait of a MOST UGLY bird. Detailed notes. GREAT job. Congratulations.
I've photographed a similar species at the Calgary Zoo but been afraid to post it. Maybe I will post it.
Warm regards,
Mario from Canada.

wonderful close up.great detail and sharpness .very nice colors.great job!

Hello Nel,
No matter what age they are, they look so old!
This is a fine capture in a typical pose, excellent details in the plumage and the colours are nicely reproduced...
A fine composition, well done!
Greetings,
Pablo -

  • Great 
  • cako Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 545 W: 0 N: 735] (3213)
  • [2008-03-03 10:43]

Hi Nel
This is a great close up, very good sharp and detail
well done.

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