Marabou Stork
Leptoptilus crumeniferus
Observed at Lake Bogoria, Rift Valley, Kenya. October 2010.
Even tourists with little interest in birds will take note of these huge, ungainly birds that inhabit open areas of all kinds including city parks, farms and natural savannas. Adding to their bizarre look is an inflatable pink pouch hanging from the their throats. Marabous are opportunistic birds that will eat garbage, carrion, fish, insects and just about anything else that looks appetizing (to a stork!).
Ciconiidae -- Stork Family
Seen at Jinja, Uganda. December 2012.
Guide Books:
- Birds of Kenya and Northern Tanzania by Zimmerman et al.
- Birds of East Africa by Stevenson and Fanshawe