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JABIRU
(Xenorhynchus australis)
If you look into the animal "Who’s Who",
You’ll readily find the Jabiru.
An Australian Stork with sound credentials,
Not given to pose, merely essentials.
Which fact assists with a balanced view
Of our fine feathered friend, the Jabiru.
His other name is the Black Necked Stork,
And he resides in swamps up in Cape York.
Also in other north Australian regions,
In lagoons and lakes they reside in legions,
All standing shyly in long pink legs,
Caring for their diet, watching their eggs.
They stand so still in the tropical sun,
Sometimes on two legs, sometimes on one,
But always keeping a watchful eye
Out for frogs and fish and other small fry.
Snakes are another food they will eat;
In fact, they regard them as rather a treat!
So if one ever invites you out to dine,
I suggest that you follow this advice of mine
And pack up a sandwich, pie or cake,
Before heading off to the Jabiru lake.
For if this advice you decide to neglect
Prepare for an entree of ‘froggy’, half-pecked!
And as you reluctantly accept such a morsel
The jabiru may secure an eel by its dorsal.
You know it would be "Oh so very rude"
To refuse such hospitality as jabirus exude.
But here! Here’s the main course for which you have waited;
A fresh writhing snake of a type that is hated!
Yes, hated and feared because of its bite,
So as a prospective meal it’s an unwelcome sight.
But the jabiru stork has a very long bill,
Well able to hold angry snakes still.
And so as it casually turns ‘round its head,
It's intention is that you might quickly be fed.
And remember, to be seen a jabiru winner,
You have to accept breakfast, lunch or dinner
As proffered by your congenial host,
And whilst it may be stranger than most
The food is of a very fresh type,
Definitely never stale or over-ripe.
And unlike a city restaurant ever so fine,
There is no shock with the bill when you dine.
For while a jabiru bill is unusually large,
It’s not of the type that involves monetary charge.
The meal is all free, a gift from the swamp,
Which fact well may make you more readily chomp,
Keeping in mind to give credit where it’s due,
Yes, credit to the hospitable jabiru!