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Marabou Stork

© Kay E. Mahoney

Marabou Stork

Uploaded: September 24, 2009

Description

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



Comments

Eugenio Diaz September 24, 2009

WOW great image and timing!~:)
Great capture of an old bird...is he retired???
LOL!!!! #1184199

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.
Amazing work my friend.
Have a wonderful day, do take care. #7979341

Tammy M. Anderson level-deluxe 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. #7979846

Ann Coates level-classic September 24, 2009

Interesting facts about this stork Kay. I've never seen anything like it before. Terrific capture and perfect timing. #7979872

Kay E. Mahoney level-classic September 24, 2009

Thank you Eugenio, Frank, Tammy, and Ann. He was very interesting to watch. #7980435

Carol Sawyer September 24, 2009

Great capture and timing, Kay!! #7980623

Courtenay Vanderbilt September 24, 2009

Very interesting description and your timing appears impeccable! Great capture! #7980771

Mary L. Graham September 24, 2009

Awesome capture Kay!! Very interesting birds! =) #7980772

Candice C. Calhoun level-deluxe 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! #7980946

Kay E. Mahoney level-classic September 25, 2009

Than you everyone for all of your comments. It was a neat place to visit. #7982284

Mark Dodge September 25, 2009

These birds are so funky looking! Great shot, Kay. Excellent details. #7983184

Kay E. Mahoney level-classic September 27, 2009

Thank you Mark. #7987902

Cassie L. Woodlee September 30, 2009

What an odd looking creature, great capture Kay!!! #7997121

Maureen M. Bisson September 30, 2009

Fantastic image Kay & soooooo enjoyed all your kindly offered information! Appreciate knowing about this wonderful bird. #7997947

Kay E. Mahoney level-classic September 30, 2009

Thank you Cassie and Maureen for your comments. #7998238

Thomas 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! #7999017

Kay E. Mahoney level-classic September 30, 2009

hank you Thomas for your comment. Yes, they are amazing to watch. #7999041

Loan Tran level-classic 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. #8000429

Kay E. Mahoney level-classic October 06, 2009

Thank you Loan for your comment. #8013756

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