Jabiru
Jabiru
Jabiru mycteria
At a Glance
The Jabiru is found mainly in South America. It is an uncommon breeder in southern Mexico, but wanderers have strayed as far north as Texas a few times, and one has reached Oklahoma. Occurrences north of the border have been in late summer or fall.
All bird guide text and rangemaps adapted from Lives of North American Birds by Kenn Kaufman© 1996, used by permission of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Category
Long-legged Waders, Storks
IUCN Status
Least Concern
Habitat
Freshwater Wetlands, Saltwater Wetlands
Region
Plains, Texas
Behavior
Direct Flight, Soaring
Range & Identification
Description
Sexes similar; male slightly larger — Length: 3 ft 11 in-4 ft 7 in (1.2-1.4 m); wingspan: 7 ft 5 in-9 ft 2 in (2.3-2.8 m); weight: 9 lb 15 oz-17 lb 10 oz (4.5-8 kg). The Jabiru is a huge stork with a massive, slightly upturned bill. Body and wings all white; head, neck, and bill are black, with a red throat pouch. Juvenile is duller, marked with dingy brown, but recognized by bill shape and huge size.
Size
About the size of a Heron
Color
Black, Brown, Red, White
Wing Shape
Broad, Long, Rounded
Tail Shape
Short
Songs and Calls
Normally silent, rattles its bill during courtship or when alarmed.
Call Pattern
Flat
Call Type
Rattle
Sign up for Audubon's newsletter to learn more about birds like the Jabiru
