B737-800 Captain reported a large bird on the runway prior to takeoff. The aircraft hit the bird; rejected takeoff and returned to the gate. The bird strike caused damage to the left engine.

Narrative

Lining up on the runway centerline; I believe after being cleared for takeoff; I noticed a large bird land to the left side of the centerline; roughly 3000 ft. beyond our position. I pointed this out to the FO (First Officer) (pilot flying); and we continued with normal takeoff procedures. As we approached the bird's position; and the 80-kt. call was not yet made (my attention was focused primarily outside the aircraft); and it did not relocate; as we'd both later discussed was our mutual expectation. Instead; it stayed where it had landed; and only attempted to move as we came within perhaps one or two hundred feet. of it. As we passed its position; we heard and felt a significant impact on the left side; and we elected to abort the takeoff; expecting that damage had likely been done to the engine and/or aircraft at that point. With thousands of feet remaining; we rejected the takeoff by closing the thrust levers; using no reverse; having no autobrake actuation; and nominal/normal braking; and cleared the runway at roughly a midpoint high-speed taxiway; and returned to a gate; to learn that the number one engine had sustained damage.A large bird landing on the runway at or shortly after the time of our receipt of takeoff clearance.I do not recall being trained to consider the presence of non-fixed/mobile obstructions; animate or otherwise; as a reason to decline; cancel; or reject takeoff clearance or a takeoff maneuver; but I do recommend this becoming a training scenario/lesson; as I realize now that simply delaying our takeoff until the trespassing bird could be seen to have evacuated the runway environment would have almost certainly have precluded this incident. I will; from now on; never again attempt a takeoff with any obstruction; living or not; fixed or mobile; within the takeoff flight path.