Molecular studies have found that the closest relative of the shoebill is the hamerkop.
Traditionally, shoebills were thought to be related to storks - like the marabou stork, but deeper research has indicated that they are closely related to pelicans and herons. They fly by a combination of flapping and gliding, and with an estimated flapping rate of 150 flaps per minute, they are among the slowest of any birds. Shoebills will rarely fly beyond a distance of 500 metres. Do Shoebill Storks Flyīesides their big size, shoebills are capable of flying short distances within their territory. About 60% of the shoebill's hunts are successful which is a great success rate in the wild. Relying on its vision, the shoebill often launches a quick violent strike and hold on to the struggling prey with the sharp hook/nail at the end of the beak. The strides are slow and the bird is often motionless and quiet. Shoebills are patient hunters that stalk their prey in a slow and lurking manner. The prey is often 5 to 20 inches in length and up to 0.5 kilograms in weight but larger prey has also been observed. Shoebill storks also eat frogs, water snakes, Nile monitors, baby crocodiles and more rarely rodents, snails and waterfowl. Their preferred species include lungfish, tilapia, and catfish. Shoebills are largely piscivores and prefer to eat the flesh of various fishes. Researchers find it easy to observe shoebills at a close distance of around 2 to 3 metres even when the bird is on its nest.Ī shoebill will not feel threatened by the approach of humans if there is some vegetation in between. Shoebills are not known for being aggressive towards humans and do not show any threatening behaviour to humans.
#Shoebill stork population full
Related article: Birds of Uganda - full list 6. If South Sudan was politically stable, it would be hands down the best experience for shoebill and other birding because of the Sudd. In other African countries, the records of shoebill storks have been more isolated and seeing a shoebill might be by chance. Shoebills can also be seen in Eastern DRC, Rwanda and northern Zambia. With various birding areas in Uganda having shoebills, and the fact that you can see shoebills just 2 hours out of Kampala in Mabamba, Uganda is arguably the easiest place for seeing many shoebills in their natural habitat. Shoebill storks are most numerous in South Sudan's Sudd, as well as wetlands in Uganda, western Tanzania and Zambia. Where Can I See Shoebill Storks In The Wild? On average, an adult male shoebill weighs around 5.6 kg (12 lb) while a female weighs around 4.9 kg (11 lb).Ĭompared to a human, an adult shoebill is slightly shorter than an adult human of average height.ĥ. Shoebills weigh between 4 and 7 kg (8.8 to 15 lb) with males being slightly more than females. The shoebill is a tall bird that can measure as much as 1.5 metres (5 feet) in height as well as between 1 and 1.4metres in length from beak to tail. The name shoebill is derived from the fact that the bird's big bill resembles a shoe. This is why the shoebill is also referred to as Whalehead or Whale-headed stork. The shoebill's scientific name - Balaeniceps rex is derived from the Latin words Balaena (Whale) and Caput (head), abbreviated as ceps. Interesting Facts About The Elusive Shoebill 1. In this article, we'll take a look at some interesting facts about the shoebill, and hopefully inspire you to add it to your safari bucket list.
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