The shoebill (Balaeniceps rex), also known as the whale-headed stork, whalebill, and shoe-billed stork, is a very large long-legged wading bird. Its name comes from its enormous shoe-shaped bill.

Mar 2, 2024 · Here’s how it works. Although sometimes incorrectly referred to as a stork, the shoebill is actually the only member of the Balaeniceps genus and the wider family Balaenicipitidae.

The shoebill is a large, elusive, stalk-like bird with an almost prehistoric appearance, due to its oversized shoe-shaped beak. They are sometimes referred to as ‘ whalehead ‘.

Aug 5, 2016 · When there’s nothing but lungfish or crocodile left, the Shoebill will give it a quick decapitation with the sharp edges of the bill (because of course it does) and swallow away.

The shoebill favors the vast papyrus swamps of the Sudd, in northern East Africa. Shoebills stake out overspill areas, where water is moving slowly past toward lakes, carrying with it lots of delicious fish.

Nov 17, 2025 · shoebill, (Balaeniceps rex), large African wading bird, a single species that constitutes the family Balaenicipitidae (order Balaenicipitiformes, Ciconiiformes, or Pelecaniformes). The species …

Basic facts about Shoebill: lifespan, distribution and habitat map, lifestyle and social behavior, mating habits, diet and nutrition, population size and status.

The shoebill stork, also commonly referred to as whalehead, whale head stork, or just shoebill, is a large swamp-dwelling bird found in East Africa. Despite what its name suggests, the shoebill is actually …

What makes the aptly named shoebill so unique is its foot-long bill that resembles a Dutch clog. Tan with brown splotches, it's five inches wide and has sharp edges and a sharp hook on the end.

Dec 23, 2024 · The Shoebill (Balaeniceps rex), a remarkable large bird renowned for its massive shoe-shaped bill, is found across a patchy range in East and Central Africa. Its habitat primarily includes …