ASK THE EXPERT: Why is the marabou stork bald?

While the marabou stork may not be winning any beauty awards, they are very important to the African wildlife community!

- Chris Peterson, Associate Animal Curator and Elephant Manager

Just like vultures, marabou storks have bald heads and long necks. “These are important adaptations as the marabou stork is a scavenger – it eats a lot of dead animals,” says Chris Peterson, Associate Animal Curator and Elephant Manager. Eating carrion, or the decaying flesh of dead animals, can be quite messy. “These birds are putting their heads inside carrion as they eat. Being bald helps the marabou stork keep cleaner as blood can clog up feathers and cause health issues,” says Chris.

Marabou stork at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

Why are scavengers like the marabou stork so important to the wildlife community? It’s simple. Eating carrion helps stop the spread of disease. “Storks and vultures clean areas in Africa of waste. They have a natural job within the African ecosystem,” says Chris.

How does the Zoo feed marabou storks when wild scavenging birds are also near? Animal Care staff get creative. They place the storks’ diet in a cage where only their long beaks can reach. Want to see it in action? Click on the image below and view a video with the Zoo’s Africa keepers.

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