Marabou Stork

Description:

This emblematic african scavenger is a wading bird from the stork family (Ciconiidae). This huge stork is some 120 to 150 cm in height and has somewhat prehistoric appearance - every time I see it, I think of pterodactyls or something of that sort. Massive dark-grey to black wings contrast with white body. Long naked neck, with a large pendulous frontal poach. Head also naked and pinkish in colour, with a massive blade-like grey to light brown beak. Grey legs.

Habitat:

This huge scavenger is present almost everywhere in sub-Saharan Africa, in various habitats - wetlands, grasslands, savanna... where it competes with vultures for feed. It is also often close to human habitats, and there always close to dumps and abattoirs. Here, observed close to human habitations of pastoral Afar population (you can notice silhouettes of villagers in the background of the 2nd photo), in semi-desert environment, but close to river Awash.

Notes:

These three photos were taken in Afar Region of Ethiopia, back in 2002, during, or just in the beginning of another drought hitting the Horn of Africa. Dying and dead animals were everywhere (though rarely camels) and scavenger of all sorts were coming close to human habitations and pastures. I'm still particularly marked by the first photo, of a dying camel and a marabou stork waiting patiently... (there were some other vultures and scavengers around as well). The camel was still alive when I was taking this click... and it was difficult to ascertain if this camel was dying from lack of water (and there is a waterhole just behind the camel); or from old age or something else; but this photo always reminds me on those difficult times when people were really fighting to keep themselves and some of their livestock alive.