Shoebill
NameShoebill
Common NameShoebill
Scientific NameBalaeniceps rex
FamilyBalaenicipitidae
Wingspan (cm)250
Length (cm)120
Weight (g)5500
Plumage DetailsAdult Shoebills have a slate-grey plumage, often with a bluish or brownish tint, and a shaggy crest on the back of the head. Juveniles are similar but have a slightly browner plumage.
Vocalization / CallShoebills are generally silent but engage in bill-clattering, especially during nesting or greeting. They may also produce guttural mews, croaks, or hiccup-like sounds.
Primary Dietpiscivore
Primary Habitatsfreshwater swamps, marshes, papyrus beds, floodplains
Conservation Statusvulnerable
Geographic RangeFound in East-central Africa, primarily in large freshwater swamps and marshes from South Sudan and Ethiopia south to Zambia, and west to the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
Identifying Featuresmassive, shoe-shaped bill, slate-grey plumage, long legs, large size, slow, deliberate movements
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 to ambush prey.
