- marabou
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/mar"euh booh'/, n.1. any of three large storks of the genus Leptoptilus, of Africa or the East Indies, having soft, downy feathers under the wings and tail that are used for making a furlike trimming for women's hats and garments.2. one of the feathers.3. the trimming or material made of the feathers.4. thrown silk that can be dyed without being scoured.Also, marabout.[1815-25; < F marabout lit., MARABOUT]
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African stork (Leptoptilos crumeniferus).Standing 5 ft (1.5 m) tall with a wingspread of 8.5 ft (2.6 m), the marabou is the largest of all storks. Mainly gray and white, it has a bald pinkish face and neck; a reddish, inflatable throat pouch; and a straight, heavy bill. Marabous eat carrion, often feeding with vultures, which they dominate.* * *
▪ birdalso called marabou storklarge African bird of the stork family, Ciconiidae (order Ciconiiformes). The marabou is the largest stork, 150 cm (5 feet) tall with a wingspread of 2.6 m (8 1/2 feet). Mainly gray and white, it has a naked pinkish head and neck, a pendant, reddish, inflatable throat pouch, and a straight, heavy bill. Marabous eat carrion, often feeding with vultures, which they dominate.* * *
Universalium. 2010.