27 / 176 belize April 2009 058.JPE

Jabiru nest with parent and several young. The Jabiru Stork is a very rare bird and is endangered throughout tis range. One of the largest birds in the New World, the Jabiru stands 5 feet tall and has a wingspan of 8 feet. Its heavily bill is about 12 inches long and is perfectly designed to catch fish, frogs and snakes.
Recent studies have confirmed that Belize has the healthiest breeding population of jabirus for all of Central America. They arrive in Belize from Mexico in November and nest in the tall pines of the savannas and marshes of the Belizean lowlands.