Marabou Stork..

Marabou Stork (Leptoptilos crumeniferus).

A massive bird, large specimens are thought to reach a height of 152 cm (60 in) and a weight of 9 kg (20 lb.). A wingspan of 3.7 m (12 ft.) was accepted by Fisher and Peterson, who ranked the species as having the largest wing-spread of any living bird.

The Marabou Stork is a scavenger, and the naked head and neck are adapted for this, as it is with the vultures with which the stork often feed. This large and powerful bird eats mainly carrion, scraps and faeces but will opportunistically eat almost any animal matter they can swallow. So do not give this bird a kiss…

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."

One photo for you… not my favourite bird…

Sat 23-07-2011 017