Marabou stork

It's strange that the stork should have been chosen as the storied bird that brings the new baby.

These huge sharp-beaked creatures are carrion eaters with  wingspans of up to 3 metres. The sign in the zoo states that the bald head is an evolutionary development: it allows the stork to place its head inside a carcass while eating with a minimum of fuss and mess.

Along with their favoured carrion, Marabou storks also eat fish, insects, and small animals.

Native to sub-Saharan Africa, these storks are also called undertaker birds, a name that, according to the Toronto zoo, refers to their appearance as well as their activities.


Marabou feathers have long been important in fashion.

This elegant stole of soft marabou is for sale at Abercorn and Company, priced at one hundred eighty British pounds.