Least Concern Birds

Marabou

Leptoptilos crumenifer

Marabou scavenges carrion in African savannas, wetlands, and near humans.

Scientific name	Leptoptilos crumenifer
Swahili name	Mkorogo
Conservation status	Least Concern
Class	Aves
Order	Ciconiiformes
Family	Ciconiidae
Size	Male: approximately 4.5-8.5 kg, wingspan about 2.6-3.2 m; female: slightly lighter, about 4-7.5 kg

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How to identify

Head featherless with exposed pink skin; large hanging throat pouch; massive body with broad wingspan; plumage mainly dark gray and white; bill long, thick, and slightly down-curved

Habitat

Open woodland savanna, wetlands, valleys, garbage dumps, and near human settlements

Diet

Omnivorous, primarily scavenges carrion, also preys on fish, amphibians, small mammals, and bird eggs

When it is active

Diurnal, active during the day, especially in the morning and evening

Where it lives

Widely distributed across sub-Saharan Africa, common in Kenya including Maasai Mara National Reserve

How to spot it

Observe in the morning or evening near wetlands or garbage dumps, note broad wingspan and distinctive head features in flight

Photography tips

Use telephoto lens to capture dynamic flight or feeding behavior, focus on details of bare head skin in good lighting; wetlands provide good feeding scene photo opportunities

Threats

Habitat destruction, pollution, and human disturbance

Similar species

White Stork (Ciconia ciconia), differs by smaller size and lack of bare head skin and throat pouch; Greater Adjutant (Leptoptilos dubius), larger and mainly Asian distribution

📖 how to spot the marabou on safari