Marabou Stork

African birds · giant fliers · scavengers

Enormous wingspan. The marabou stork has the longest wingspan of any bird that lives on land, stretching up to 8.5 feet across on average, with some reaching over 10 feet. That's wider than a grown-up lying down.

Looks like an undertaker. The marabou stork's dark wings, hunched back, and skinny white legs make it look like it's wearing a long black cloak from behind. This spooky appearance earned it the nickname 'undertaker bird.'

Lives in sub-Saharan Africa. These giant birds make their homes all across Africa south of the Sahara Desert, from wet swamps to dry grasslands, and they love living near human cities and towns.

Visits the dump. Marabou storks are champion scavengers that hang out at landfills and garbage sites to feast on scraps of food, making them super helpful at cleaning up waste.

Built for wading. As a wading bird, the marabou stork has long, thin legs perfect for walking through shallow water and muddy ground while hunting for fish, frogs, and other prey.