Dispersal of juvenile Marabou Storks Leptoptilos crumeniferus as determined by resightings

Abstract

A total of 114 Marabou Stork chicks were ringed in the years 2003–2007 at the most southerly African breeding colony, Swaziland. Just one of 35 chicks fitted with colour rings was resighted by December 2007, while 17 of 79 chicks fitted with patagial tags were resighted. Juvenile Marabou Storks can disperse over 1 500 km within their first year after fledging, sufficient to cover the large distances between breeding colonies.

Ostrich 2008, 79(2): 187–189