Marabou stork of any landbird, to rival the Andean condor; more typically, however, these storks measure across the wings, which is about a foot less than the average Andean condor wingspan and nearly two feet less than the average of the largest albatrosses and pelicans. Typical weight is , unusually as low as , and length (from bill to tail) is . Females are smaller than males. Bill length can range from . Unlike most storks, the three "Leptoptilos" species fly with the neck retracted like a heron. The marabou is unmistakable due to its size, bare head and neck, black back,
What Bird is That? friends, together with the succinct but compendious descriptive information, will place within easy reach of the bird lover, a most valuable "vade mecum" of bird and bush lore for out of doors as well as a thing of beauty for the library." Cayley’s aim in creating this work was to make available a book that would encourage and help people to learn about and appreciate Australia’s remarkable and unique bird life. He saw and responded to a need for a simple book that was accessible to the non-specialist birdwatcher. Each species was illustrated in colour and the birds were organised