Jabiru

Overview

The jabiru (Jabiru mycteria) is a large stork and the tallest flying bird in the Americas, with a range extending from Mexico to Argentina. It is the sole member of its genus and holds the IUCN status of Least Concern.

Identification

• Standing 120–140 cm tall, it has a wingspan of 2.3–2.8 m and can weigh up to 9 kg.
• Plumage is predominantly white, with a featherless black head and upper neck, and a distinct featherless red patch at the base of the neck.
• The bill is black, broad, and slightly upturned, measuring between 25 and 35 cm in length.
• Large males stand as tall as 1.53 m, exhibiting significant sexual dimorphism compared to the smaller female.

Habitat

The species is found throughout the Americas from Mexico to Argentina, excluding areas west of the Andes, and occasionally wanders into the United States. It thrives near rivers and ponds, with the highest populations located in the Pantanal region of Brazil and the Eastern Chaco region of Paraguay.

Diet

Jabirus are opportunistic feeders that wade in shallow water, consuming prodigious quantities of fish, frogs, snakes, snails, and insects. They also eat fresh carrion and occasionally kleptoparasitise smaller storks, using tactile sensation rather than vision to detect prey.

Did you know?

Jabiru is one of the longest-lived birds, with an average lifespan of 36 years. It holds a unique genetic profile with a diploid number of 2n = 56.