Marabou stork Marabou stork The marabou stork ("Leptoptilos crumenifer") is a large wading bird in the stork family Ciconiidae. It breeds in Africa south of the Sahara, in both wet and arid habitats, often near human habitation, especially landfill sites. It is sometimes called the "undertaker bird" due to its shape from behind: cloak-like wings and back, skinny white legs, and sometimes a large white mass of "hair". The name marabou is thought to be derived from the Arabic word "murābit" meaning quiet or hermit-like. The species was originally described in the stork genus "Ciconia" as "Ciconia crumenifera" by Lesson. The species
Marabou (fashion) very popular trimming from the late eighteenth century onwards. It was used for trimming hats and making up muffs and feather boas. The Great Exhibition of 1851 prominently featured marabout alongside other feathers as second only in popularity to ostrich feathers, and it was noted that white marabout was sometimes very scarce, and also that some manufacturers were making highly commended items from turkey and goose-down. Since the 20th century, marabou (spelt without a T) has become associated with lingerie and sex appeal. The Metropolitan Museum states that 'no object better epitomizes the sex kitten glamour of the 1950s than