© Johann Du Toit
A distinctive stork, often found near carcasses, the Marabou Stork is coloured black and white with orange/red air-sacs on its hind neck and throat. Contrary to belief; these are not used for digestion or even ballooning but instead indicate sexual maturity and dominance as well as being used in thermo-regulation.
Often gregarious near kills and dumps, they have however been known to kill flamingo chicks, fish and reptiles. The 1 m in diameter nest takes about 10days to build. Incubation of the white egg is 30 days by both sexes, nestling period is 95-115 days and post nestling dependence is up to 4 months!
