Marabou Stork
Species Name: Marabou Stork
Scientific Name: Leptoptilos crumeniferus
Continent: Africa
Animal Name(s): Tricky Dick (male, Jan 69)
The Clean Up Crew:
Marabou storks, and other Savannah scavengers, reduce the spread of disease by cleaning up dead animal carcasses.
A marabou stork’s large, heavy bill grows all its life and can be over a foot long. This serves as a good weapon against hyenas, jackals, or other scavengers looking to steal a meal.
Marabou storks usually mate for life.
At Reid Park Zoo:
Because dead carcasses are not an option for the Marabou storks in the Zoo, they eat mice, rats, and fish instead.
You will notice this exhibit is a multi-species habitat. The marabou stork would share habitat with white rhinos and Speke’s gazelles in the wild too.
Zoo Parents:
- Frann Miescher
- Robin Miescher
