The marabou’s head and neck are smooth, so that its feathers will not get dirtied with blood while it eats a carcass. During the dry season, the marabou builds a tree nest, where it lays three eggs. The male and the female are similar in appearance, but young individuals are brown-black and have a smaller beak. Another characteristic of the marabou is the special sounds the male makes during courting season. Its special throat sack is intended for making varying sounds simultaneously.

Because of its impressive size and wingspan, the marabou is considered one of the largest species of flying birds.

Photo: Tsouriel Fenesh

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