![]() ![]() Amphibians, small crocodiles, water snakes, and rodents are also part of their menu. It can remain immobile in the same place for a long time. It feeds mainly on fish, so it stays still in the water until a fish rises to the surface and grabs it with its large, curved bill. FeedingĪnother characteristic that manifests itself in its behavior is patience when hunting. It is considered a silent animal, however, sometimes it emits a sound with its beak that looks like a machine gun. Amazing, isn’t it? They originate from the African continent and reside in swampy areas from Sudan to Zambia. In the air, it is capable of flapping its wings around 150 times per minute, which makes it a very slow bird.Īmong the wild birds, it lives longer, reaching up to 50 years. It often flies during the day over its territory. Image: My Modern MetĬan the shoebill stork fly? Yes, and that’s quite a feat given its weight and size. They are classified as sedentary and do not usually migrate in search of new territories unless forced to do so due to lack of food or loss of habitat. They do not like to live close to each other, only having company during the mating period. □ It is a bird with solitary behavior, and, except for periods when food is scarce, it is rarely seen in groups. Socially, it is not one of the best-known on the ride. In nature, it is possible to safely reach some distance from its nest. It is a docile bird, and in captivity, it interacts well with humans. Image: My Modern Met The behavior of the whalebillĪlthough, at first glance, it looks intimidating and aggressive, the truth couldn’t be further from that. Its belly and tail feathers are white, and what might be called a crest on top of its head is also gray. Some scientific publications show the Hammerkop (Scopus umbretta) as what may be a distant “cousin”, as the shoebill stork is the only one of the Balaenicipitidae family.Īs an adult, it has predominantly gray plumage and a greenish tone on the back. ![]() Its long, slender black legs and prominent bill may resemble a heron or a pelican: but it is not related to either, not even the common stork. It is believed that it has this name because its beak looks like a shoe, those in the Dutch style, with a sharp point and in the shape of a hook. Its wingspan (distance between the tip of one wing to the other) can exceed 7 feet. The Shoebill stork impresses with its size and majesty: its height varies from 3.5 – 5 feet and can weigh an average of 12 pounds. ![]() Image: How Stuff Works Physical features of Balaeniceps rex Let’s get to know a little about this amazing bird! Enjoy reading and have fun. Maybe that’s why, unfortunately, it’s endangered. The shoebill stork is docile and interacts well with humans. In some countries, it is also known by the name whale-headed stork or whalebill.īut despite these features, there is no need to be scared. Their peculiar and exotic, almost prehistoric appearance, in addition to their intimidating look, are visible proof that birds were once dinosaurs. Take a look at the photos below and you will understand why. No other bird can remind us of its kinship with dinosaurs as well as the Shoebill stork or Shoe-billed Stork (Balaeniceps rex). ![]()
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