The
jabiru (
Jabiru mycteria) is a large
stork found in the Americas from Mexico to Argentina, except west of the
Andes, occasionally also moving into the southern United States. Its name comes from
Tupi–Guarani and means 'swollen neck'. It is a tall bird, with larger males reaching a height of more than 1.5 metres (4.9 ft). It measures 2.3 to 2.8 metres (7.5 to 9.2 ft) across the wings, and can weigh up to 9 kilograms (20 lb). The
plumage is mostly white, but the head and upper neck are featherless and black, with a featherless red stretchable patch at the base. This jabiru was photographed in the
Pantanal area of Brazil.
Photograph credit: Charles J. Sharp