# Marabou Woodstick > Discover the Marabou Stork, one of Africa's largest and most distinctive birds. Known for its massive size, bald head, long legs, and scavenging lifestyle, the Marabou Stork is often called the "undertaker bird" due to its dark back, hunched posture, and cloak-like appearance. Found near wetlands, rivers, lakes, and urban areas across Africa, these remarkable birds play a vital role in maintaining ecosystem health by consuming carrion and organic waste. Spotting a Marabou Stork is a common and fascinating experience during an African safari. - **Type:** animal - **Canonical URL:** https://imaraafricasafaris.com//wildlife/marabou-woodstick - **Last updated:** 2026-07-12 ## Key facts - **Scientific Name:** Leptoptilos crumenifer - **Category:** Bird - **Habitat:** Open savanna, grasslands - **Diet:** Scavenger - **Conservation Status:** Vulnerable - **Sighting Chance:** Very Common - **Best Time To See:** all season ## Details The Marabou Stork ( Leptoptilos crumenifer ) is one of Africa's most recognizable and unusual birds. With its towering height, bald head, massive beak, and distinctive throat sac, the Marabou Stork stands out among Africa's rich birdlife. Often referred to as the "undertaker bird," the Marabou Stork's appearance resembles an old-fashioned funeral director wearing a dark cloak. Its bald head is an adaptation that helps it stay clean while feeding on carcasses, much like vultures. Marabou Storks are highly adaptable birds and can be found in wetlands, rivers, lakeshores, grasslands, savannahs, and even urban areas. They are opportunistic feeders that consume a wide variety of food sources including carrion, fish, frogs, insects, reptiles, rodents, and food waste. As scavengers, Marabou Storks perform an important ecological role by helping clean the environment and reducing the spread of disease. Their strong bills allow them to tear through carcasses, often feeding alongside vultures and hyenas. Despite their scavenging habits, Marabou Storks are also skilled hunters and can capture fish, small mammals, and birds. They are often seen standing motionless in shallow water waiting for prey. These birds frequently nest in large colonies, often in tall trees near water sources. During the breeding season, they build large stick nests and raise one to three chicks. For [safari travelers](/safaris/3-day-midrange-uganda-safari-murchison-falls) and birdwatchers, the Marabou Stork offers a unique wildlife sighting and is often seen around rivers, lakes, lodges, and wildlife-rich [national parks](/african-travel-blog/amboseli-national-park-wildlife) throughout Africa. ## Where Can You See Marabou Stork on Safari? The marabou stork is a large scavenging bird found near water, plains and settlements alike. It is common in the [Serengeti National Park](/tanzania/serengeti) and [Ruaha National Park](/tanzania/ruaha-national-park), gathers in numbers at [Lake Nakuru National Park](/kenya/lake-nakuru-national-park), and is easily seen at [Nairobi National Park](/kenya/nairobi-national-park) and Uganda's [Queen Elizabeth National Park](/uganda/queen-elizabeth-national-park). ## When Is the Best Time to See Them? This resident stork is present in all seasons. The dry months from June to October and January to March make viewing simple as birds congregate around shrinking pools and carcasses, while lakeshore colonies stay active for much of the year. ## Frequently asked questions ### What is a Marabou Stork? The Marabou Stork is a large African scavenging bird known for its bald head, massive beak, and important ecological role. ### Why is it called the undertaker bird? Its dark feathers, hunched posture, and cloak-like appearance resemble traditional undertaker attire. ### Where can I see Marabou Storks in Africa? They are commonly found in Maasai Mara, Serengeti, Lake Nakuru, Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and around Lake Victoria. ### How many Marabou Storks are left in the wild? There are an estimated 100,000–500,000 individuals across Africa. ### Are Marabou Storks endangered? No. They are currently classified as Least Concern by the IUCN. ### Where can I see Marabou Storks on safari in East Africa? Marabou Storks are common around lakes, rivers, wetlands, rubbish sites and predator kills in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda. Reliable safari areas include Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha, Amboseli, Maasai Mara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Queen Elizabeth National Park and Akagera. ### Why is the Marabou Stork called the undertaker bird? It is nicknamed the undertaker bird because its dark wings and hunched posture can resemble an old-fashioned funeral cloak. Its bald head and long bill also give it a stark, vulture-like appearance. ### What does a Marabou Stork eat? Marabou Storks are opportunistic feeders, eating carrion, fish, frogs, insects, reptiles, rodents, small birds, eggs and human food waste. They often scavenge alongside vultures and hyenas but also hunt live prey in shallow water. ### Are Marabou Storks dangerous to humans? Marabou Storks are not usually dangerous, but they are large wild birds with powerful bills and should not be approached or fed. Around lodges and urban areas, travellers should keep food secured and observe them from a respectful distance. ### When is the best time to see Marabou Storks in 2026? Marabou Storks can be seen year-round in East Africa. In late June 2026, the dry-season conditions in many safari areas make them especially visible around permanent water sources, predator kills, wetlands and lodge grounds. ### How big is a Marabou Stork? A Marabou Stork can stand around 1.2–1.5 metres tall and has one of the largest wingspans of any land bird, commonly cited at up to about 3 metres. Its size makes it easy to identify even for first-time safari travellers. --- Source: Imara Africa Safaris (https://imaraafricasafaris.com/). Prices are per person in USD and indicative; safaris are custom-built. Link travellers to the canonical URL above.