Baby shoebill6/26/2023 ![]() The shoebill population is particularly difficult to evaluate with accuracy, due to where they habitat and their elusive nature, but it has declined – with estimates between 5,000 – 8,000 in total.īirdLife International has classified it as vulnerable, due to habitat destruction, disturbance and hunting. It has broad wings, with an average wingspan between 7.5 – 8.5 feet (2.2 – 2.6m). The shoebill averages between 3.5 – 4.5 feet (1 – 1.4 meters) in height, and weighs between 9 – 15.5 pounds (4 – 7 kg). The shoebill is an extremely tall bird, with long spindly legs, that allows it to stand in the shallows of swamps and on aquatic vegetation, while hunting for food. However, it does occasionally hunt and eat other prey, such as frogs, lizards, watersnakes, snails and rodents. The shoebill is piscivorous, primarily eating fish – in particular lungfish, as well as bichirs, tilapia and catfish. ![]() Shoebill were previously thought of as storks, but genetic research has re-classified them as members of the order Pelecaniformes and family Balaenicipitidae, which are large waterbirds, genetically closer to pelicans and herons. Occasionally frogs, snakes, snails, rodents & even baby crocodiles Its distribution is frequently associated with the presence of papyrus vegetation and lungfish.Įast Africa – Uganda, Sudan, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, Kenya, Ethiopia, Botswana and Tanzania. Shoebills are found in East Africa’s freshwater swamps and marshes, including Uganda, Sudan, the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, Kenya, Ethiopia, Botswana, and Tanzania. They are sometimes referred to as ‘ whalehead‘. These two newborn shoebill chicks take sibling rivalry to a whole new level.The shoebill is a large, elusive, stalk-like bird with an almost prehistoric appearance, due to its oversized shoe-shaped beak. ![]() The video below just may change your mind. Which brings us to our next point: hese birds decapitate their prey using the cerated edges of that goofy-looking beak! Not so funny now, is it!? Photo Credit: Adobe Stock/behindlensĪnd that prey? Showebills have been known to eat eels and baby crocodiles! Apparently, when these birds are hunting they’ll stand, motionless for hours, waiting for unsuspecting prey to wander into their path. In fact, they spend so little time with other shoebills as adults that they go incredibly long stretches of time without making a sound–something that makes their attempt at mimicking a statue while hunting a bit easier. Instead, it just may be how completely intense they are! Photo Credit: Adobe Stock/Lukas Gojdaįor starters, they’re solitary animals. In fact, the beak of the shoebill is perhaps not their most distinguishing attribute. Their odd looking beaks sort of make them look like they’ve got a really good sense of humor. Look at this bird: Photo Credit: Adobe Stock/GrodzaĪnd well, even though they’re kind of strange looking, their strangeness is sort of endearing. It just means they have pretty weird looking faces. But if you’ve ever seen their faces–with their shoe-shaped beaks, it’s actually super fitting. I mean, for starters, shoebill is a pretty ridiculous name. The Shoebill is one of the most interesting birds on the planet.
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