Shoebill
Image: MARIA LUISA BACCI (cc-by-nc)
NameShoebill
Common NameShoebill
Scientific NameBalaeniceps rex
FamilyBalaenicipitidae
Wingspan (cm)245
Length (cm)125
Weight (g)5500
Plumage DetailsAdult Shoebills have a predominantly slate-grey plumage, often with a bluish or greenish sheen, especially on the back. The flight feathers are darker, and juveniles tend to be browner.
Vocalization / CallGenerally silent, Shoebills are known for their loud bill-clattering, particularly during nesting or greeting. They can also produce hooting, whining, and cow-like mooing sounds.
Primary Dietpiscivore
Primary Habitatsfreshwater swamps, marshes, floodplains
Conservation Statusvulnerable
Geographic RangeFound in East-Central Africa, primarily in South Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, and parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo, often associated with large freshwater wetlands.
Identifying FeaturesMassive, shoe-shaped bill, Large size (up to 1.4m tall), Slate-grey plumage, Yellow eyes, Slow, deliberate movements
Description
The Shoebill is a very large, stork-like bird characterized by its massive, shoe-shaped bill. It is a solitary and patient hunter, often standing motionless for long periods in dense marsh vegetation, waiting to ambush prey.
