Shoebill
NameShoebill
Common NameShoebill
Scientific NameBalaeniceps rex
FamilyBalaenicipitidae
Wingspan (cm)245
Length (cm)125
Weight (g)5500
Plumage DetailsThe Shoebill has mostly slate-grey plumage, which can appear bluish in certain light. Its flight feathers are often darker, and it has a shaggy crest on the back of its head.
Vocalization / CallGenerally silent, but known for loud bill-clattering, especially during nesting or greeting. It can also produce cow-like mooing, whining, and hiccup-like sounds.
Primary Dietpiscivore
Primary Habitatsswamps, marshes, wetlands
Conservation Statusvulnerable
Geographic RangeFound in freshwater swamps and marshes of East-central Africa, primarily in South Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, and parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Identifying FeaturesEnormous, shoe-shaped bill, Large, grey, stork-like appearance, Yellowish eyes, Slow, deliberate movements, Often stands motionless for extended periods
Description
The Shoebill is a large, stork-like bird known for its distinctive shoe-shaped bill. It is a solitary and patient hunter, often standing motionless for long periods in shallow waters, waiting for prey.
