Jabiru Storks

The very handsome Jabiru stork is the tallest flying bird in Latin America. The wing span is roughly 2,5 meters, which is only surpassed by the Andean condor. The name is a Tupi-Guarani word for “swollen neck,” which refers to the bare pouch at the base of the bird’s neck. The inflatable red pouch is usually brighter on males. When the bird is calm, the band is a rosy pink, but when the bird becomes agitated, it turns blood red. The pouch aids the bird when it feeds on fish, mainly to filter out water. Its massive bill is a powerful spear to attack frogs, snakes and small mammals.

All photos are taken in Pantanal, Brazil.