Shoebill Bird Facts (Balaeniceps rex)

The Shoebill is a striking, large, wading bird with a distinctive shoe-shaped bill. Its plumage is predominantly blue-grey, with a slightly darker back and wings. The massive bill is greyish in colour and can reach up to 24 cm in length.

Both sexes look similar, with males being larger and have longer bills. There are no significant seasonal changes in plumage. Juveniles have a smaller bill and duller colouration compared to adults, gradually developing adult features over several years.

The Shoebill is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

The Shoebill is not typically found in Garden habitats.

The Shoebill can be found in Wetland habitats.

The Shoebill is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

The Shoebill is not typically found in Urban habitats.

The Shoebill is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

The Shoebill is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

The Shoebill is not typically found in Desert habitats.

The Shoebill is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

The Shoebill is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

The Shoebill is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

The Shoebill is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Shoebills inhabit large swamps, marshes, and wetlands in tropical central Africa. Their range extends from South Sudan to Zambia, with significant populations in Uganda, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

These birds are non-migratory but may make local movements in response to water levels and food availability. They prefer areas with dense papyrus and reed beds, often near open water.

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Shoebill. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons

Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range

Ethiopia

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:

Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

0-20: Very Low
21-40: Low
41-60: Average
61-80: High
81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

While not particularly nimble, the Shoebill demonstrates remarkable precision in its hunting technique, executing swift 'collapsing' lunges to catch prey. Their powerful flight capabilities and ability to navigate marshy terrain show decent agility for their size, though they generally move with deliberate slowness.

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

Exceptionally powerful for a bird, with impressive capabilities demonstrated by their ability to catch and consume substantial prey including lungfish, catfish, and even small crocodiles. Their massive bill and large size (up to 7kg) enables them to handle challenging prey with considerable force.

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

Shows good adaptability within their preferred wetland habitat, adjusting to changing water levels and food availability through local movements. Their specialised hunting technique and ability to survive in various tropical wetland environments demonstrates reasonable adaptability, though they are somewhat habitat-specific.

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

Whilst not typically aggressive towards their own species, Shoebills display significant predatory aggression when hunting, tackling formidable prey including snakes and small crocodiles. Their powerful bill-clattering behaviour when threatened also indicates a strong defensive posture.

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Remarkable endurance is evidenced by their ability to stand motionless for hours while hunting, combined with their capacity for powerful flight when needed. Their long lifespan (20-35 years) and ability to survive in challenging tropical environments further demonstrates their strong endurance.

Shoebills primarily feed on fish, especially lungfish and catfish, but also consume frogs, snakes, and occasionally small crocodiles.

They hunt using a unique technique called 'collapsing', where they suddenly lunge forward to catch prey with their powerful bill.

Shoebills are known for their statue-like stillness when hunting, often standing motionless for long periods. They are generally solitary birds, rarely seen in groups.

They exhibit a slow, deliberate gait when moving, and their flight is powerful but infrequent.

Shoebills are generally silent birds, but they produce a distinctive bill-clattering sound during courtship or when threatened. This rapid clattering, described as a 'machine-gun-like' tak-tak-tak, can be heard from a considerable distance. They may also emit low, cow-like moo-ing sounds.

Shoebills form monogamous pairs and breed during the dry season when water levels are lower. They construct large, flat nests of reeds and grasses on floating vegetation or solid ground in swamps.

Females typically lay 1-3 white eggs, which both parents incubate for about 30 days. The eggs often become stained brown from the nest materials.

Chicks hatch asynchronously and are cared for by both parents. They fledge after about 3-4 months but may remain dependent on their parents for up to a year.

The Shoebill typically lives for 35 to 35 years, with a maximum recorded lifespan of 50 years.

Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.

The Shoebill is classified as Vulnerable due to habitat loss, hunting, and capture for the wild bird trade.

Conservation efforts focus on protecting wetland habitats and reducing human disturbance. Monitoring programs and international cooperation are crucial for the species' survival.

Look for Shoebills in large, tropical swamps and marshes
Be patient, as they often stand still for long periods
Listen for their distinctive bill-clattering sound
Observe from a distance to avoid disturbing these shy birds
Visit protected areas in East Africa for the best chances of sighting

Adult Shoebills have few natural predators due to their size. However, eggs and chicks may fall prey to monitor lizards, African fish eagles, and occasionally crocodiles.

The Shoebill's bill is so large it can catch and eat baby crocodiles.
Despite their stork-like appearance, Shoebills are more closely related to pelicans.
Shoebills can stand motionless for hours while hunting, earning them the nickname 'statue bird'.
The oldest captive Shoebill died at an estimated age of 50 in Izu Shaboten Zoo, Japan.

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