Leptoptilos

Marabouts ( Leptoptilos )

• Lesser Adjutant (L. javanicus)
• Marabu (L. Crumeniferus )
• Argala Marabou (L. dubius )

The marabouts ( Leptoptilos ) constitute a genus within the family of storks. This genus includes three species.

Features

The birds of this genus are 110-150 cm long and have a wingspan of 210-250 cm. At the top and the wings are black, colored white on the belly and the tail base. At the bare head the scavengers have a big, thick beak. The young birds are a less colorful version of the adult. Unlike most storks, the Marabou Storks not fly with their necks, but, like herons, bent neck.

Behavior

Marabou storks are gregarious birds that build their nests on trees in large breeding colonies in wetlands. For food include carrion, frogs, insects, young birds, lizards and rodents.

Occurrence

The Lesser Adjutant (L. javanicus ) and the Argala Marabou (L. dubius ) live in South Asia; Marabu (L. Crumeniferus ) in sub-Saharan Africa.