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

Nov 17, 2025 · The shoebill claps the mandibles of its bill together as a display, producing a loud, hollow sound. Like herons and pelicans, shoebills fly with the head held back against the body. …

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 …

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 …

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.

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

Shoebill or whale-headed storks are endemic to Africa and inhabit the east-central part of the continent. The main populations are found in southern Sudan (mainly in the White Nile Sudd), …

Aug 5, 2025 · The Shoebill Stork, also known as the Whalehead or Balaeniceps rex, is a unique bird species found in the wetlands of Africa. Although it is an apex predator in its habitat, the …

1 day ago · Last November we featured an extraordinary image showing a dinosaur-like shoebill that had landed on a bird-watching boat, seemingly dwarfing tourists in the background. “We …

Jul 21, 2025 · The shoebill is a large African bird known for its distinct, clog-shaped bill and imposing stature. Its appearance often draws comparisons to prehistoric creatures, an image …