Shoebill

Scientific Classification

KINGDOM: Animalia

PHYLUM: Chordata

CLASS: Aves

ORDER: Pelecaniformes

FAMILY: Balaenicipitidae

GENUS: Balaeniceps

SPECIES: B. rex

Conservation Status

Cute Shoebill Stork big bird sitting on grass

Shoebill or whalehead or shoe-billed stork (Balaeniceps Rex) in Prague zoo

The shoebill, also known as whalehead or shoe-billed stork, is a large bird that can grow up to five feet tall and weigh 10-15 pounds. These birds are a mishmash of other species making it hard to classify. It was first lumped in with the storks, herons, and now pelicans.

The shoebill is aptly named because of its large shoe-shaped beak, which can grow about 9 inches long and 4 inches wide. In fact, it’s the third largest beak among all living birds behind pelicans and large storks! They also have an impressive wing span of over 8 feet long but is one of the slowest flapping birds at an estimated 150 flaps per minute.

The shoebill is found only in the dense freshwater swamps and marshes of east Africa. Even though every location of shoebills seems to have papyrus present, they tend to avoid areas of pure papyrus with preference to mixed vegetation.

Shoebills like to feed at night in poorly oxygenated water so fish have to frequent the surface for oxygen. Besides fish, shoebills also eat frogs, snails, snakes, turtles, and other marine critters. Their bill has a sharp nail at the tip and sharp mandibles making it easy to cut their prey in half if it’s larger. Shoebills benefit from living alongside hippos, since hippos can bulldoze densely vegetated areas for the shoebill to access and they may also force fish to the surface.

Shoebills will begin their mating season after the wet season ends to prevent flooding of nests. Both mother and father will build the nest, which is made of vegetation and consists not only of the nest but also a platform to raise it up. Females will typically lay 1-3 eggs, which will hatch after 30 days. Unfortunately, usually only the strongest chick will be raised by the parents.

The shoebill is a solitary animal that only gathers for mating and taking care of chicks. They are quiet most of the time; however, they do make a variety of noises to communicate, for mating, or for aggression. These sounds can range from chattering, mooing, or even hiccupping.