Shoebill

[WD-40]

There is no mistaking Africa’s secretive shoebill with its enormous bill and almost prehistoric looks. These large stork-like birds inhabit the continent’s central and eastern tropical swamps and marshes. Shoebills particularly like poorly oxygenated shallow water as fish surface more often, becoming easy prey for a stalking shoebill with a rapid strike in the tall vegetation.Shoebills are mostly silent and solitary birds, only coming together when food is scarce or to breed. Shoebill breeding coincides with the dry season which may help prevent their large flat nests from flooding. Like some other storks they pour water over the nest to keep the eggs cool.

Did you know?
Shoebills share similarities with pelicans, herons, hamerkops and storks.


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[RacingSnake]

These were on "Africa" last night.
Sad how they abandon one of their young

[Catherine]

I didn't see that, Gavin, but what a prehistoric-looking bird it is!

[RacingSnake]

Yes, very odd looking birds!

They have 2 chicks where the second is an "insurance policy" if one gets eaten.... if it doesn't they literally abandon the young other chick