Marabou Stork
Uploaded: September 24, 2009
The most distinctive feature of the Marabou is the nearly bald, spotted, scab-encrusted head, with its huge meat-cleaver bill. Dark, wispy hair-like feathers are scattered sparsely across the head, neck, and nape. The bare skin of the head and neck is predominantly pink to magenta in color, with spots of darker pigmentation concentrating around the face and extending down into the upper portion of the horn-colored bill. In breeding season the back of the neck turns a beautiful pale blue-green, and the spots on the face and forehead become encrusted with dried blood.
Two large inflatable subcutaneous air sacs complete the catalog of the Marabou’s peculiar features. One bright pink medium-sized bulbous sac protrudes from the feathers of the upper back. A larger pendulous flesh-colored gular sac hangs below the throat when inflated. The deflated gular sac can be concealed behind an incongruously attractive ruff of white neck feathers. Taken at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm
Eugenio Diaz September 24, 2009
WOW great image and timing!~:)frank w. degenhardt September 24, 2009
Kay- This has to be the most unusual bird I have ever seen. The story about it was so fasinating to read and to have this beautiful picutre of it just makes it even more remarkable. I can't in all honesty call it pretty bird, but your work and capture of it sure is. Love the colors and details you brought out and especially the way it is spreading its wings and then that sac hanging down.Tammy M. Anderson September 24, 2009
WOW!!! Very interesting info and bird, But I must agree with Frank not what I would call attractive. Great timing and details, Kay. #7979846Ann Coates September 24, 2009
Interesting facts about this stork Kay. I've never seen anything like it before. Terrific capture and perfect timing. #7979872Kay E. Mahoney September 24, 2009
Thank you Eugenio, Frank, Tammy, and Ann. He was very interesting to watch. #7980435Carol Sawyer September 24, 2009
Great capture and timing, Kay!! #7980623Courtenay Vanderbilt September 24, 2009
Very interesting description and your timing appears impeccable! Great capture! #7980771Mary L. Graham September 24, 2009
Awesome capture Kay!! Very interesting birds! =) #7980772Candice C. Calhoun September 24, 2009
Fantastic portrait of this fascinating bird! Cool pose too!ccc #7980834
Amy M. Wilson September 24, 2009
Great capture and very interesting info, I haven't seen one before... very cool, Kay! #7980946Kay E. Mahoney September 25, 2009
Than you everyone for all of your comments. It was a neat place to visit. #7982284Mark Dodge September 25, 2009
These birds are so funky looking! Great shot, Kay. Excellent details. #7983184Kay E. Mahoney September 27, 2009
Thank you Mark. #7987902Cassie L. Woodlee September 30, 2009
What an odd looking creature, great capture Kay!!! #7997121Maureen M. Bisson September 30, 2009
Fantastic image Kay & soooooo enjoyed all your kindly offered information! Appreciate knowing about this wonderful bird. #7997947Kay E. Mahoney September 30, 2009
Thank you Cassie and Maureen for your comments. #7998238Thomas E. Hinds September 30, 2009
Kay, this is an amazing bird! They, too, are enormous as I just visited with one at the Rio Grande Zoo! Nice capture and wonderful information! #7999017Kay E. Mahoney September 30, 2009
hank you Thomas for your comment. Yes, they are amazing to watch. #7999041Loan Tran October 01, 2009
WOW, first time I've ever seen this strange bird. You did a wonderful portrait of this bird. By the way, thanks for your comment on my image of the bee. #8000429Kay E. Mahoney October 06, 2009
Thank you Loan for your comment. #8013756Sign up for an interactive online photography course to get critiques on your photos.
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