The Marabou is a large African bird. It is a member of the stork
family, also called 'Marabou Stork'. Most people consider it awfully ugly, but I beg to differ. It is a carrion eater and scavenger, with habits closer to the vulture than to many other storks, cruising high to locate carcasses. It also attends garbage dumps. Being a carrion eater and scavenger makes it despised by many, never mind their task is very important in the cycle of life.

The marabou stands about 4 feet tall, also has the bald neck and head usually associated with large carrion eaters, but instead of a hooked bill it carries a very large, straight bill. It can be 9.5 inch! The marabou has a typical posture, standing up straight, with its bill straight down in front of it.

The marabou can't tear off pieces from a carcass with the bill it has, but it steals chunks of meat from vultures, chasing them off. I have also seen a picture where a marabou steals a fish right out of the beak of a crocodile or alligator (I forgot which). It can also catch its own fish, rats, or flamingos with the large, powerful beak.

Another interesting tidbit about the marabou is that it often defecates on its legs to help regulate temperature. This makes the legs look white.