Have I missed this spot? by Gili Orr
Gili Orr

Have I missed this spot? by

This photo was taken in Wissel Zoo in Epe, The Netherlands.
Canon PowerShot S5 IS

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. 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.”

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. More typically, these birds measure 110-140 cm (43-55 in), 225-287 cm (89-113 in) across the wings, and weigh 4.5-8 kg (10-18 lbs). Unlike most storks, the three Leptoptilos species fly with the neck retracted like a heron.

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.

Source: Wikpedia

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Tags

bird, animal, zoo, stork, netherlands, gili, marabou, crumeniferus, leptoptilos, orr, wissel, dierenpark

Comments

  • Rabi Khan
    Rabi Khanover 3 years ago

    Great Catch, Gili!

  • Thanks, Rabi!!

    – Gili Orr

  • CanDuCreations
    CanDuCreationsover 3 years ago

    Awesome!

  • Thanks so much, Thea! I appreciate the fav a lot…

    – Gili Orr

  • Sensiworld
    Sensiworldover 3 years ago

    Great capture !

  • Thanks, Sylvia!!x

    – Gili Orr

  • Anthony Vella
    Anthony Vellaover 3 years ago

    Nice capture Gili

  • Thanks, Anthony!

    – Gili Orr

  • Gili Orr
    Gili Orrover 3 years ago

  • hank44
    hank44over 3 years ago

    Splendid capture, hope he found it !!!

  • LMAO. Thanks, Mark!!

    – Gili Orr

  • Squealia
    Squealiaover 3 years ago

    Lovely shot

  • Thanks again, Squealia!:-)

    – Gili Orr

  • Anne-Marie Bokslag
    Anne-Marie Bok...over 3 years ago

    Yep, and not only that one …lol

  • Oops… you see too well;-)

    – Gili Orr

  • BigD
    BigDover 3 years ago

    Excellent capture, Gili

  • Thanks a lot, BigD!

    – Gili Orr

  • kathy s gillentine
    kathy s gillen...over 3 years ago

    fantastic shot Gili

  • Thanks so much, Kathy!

    – Gili Orr