Bonanza Bird #2: Shoebill

Birdorable Shoebill

For 19 days we're adding a new Birdorable bird every day as part of our Birdorable Bonanza 2011. We're counting up to revealing our 350th species! Today's bird is the Shoebill.

Shoebill stork
Shoebill stork by belgianchocolate

The Shoebill is a remarkable-looking bird with an amazingly huge shoe-shaped bill. These large birds measure up to 59 inches (150 cm) tall and their bills average 12 inches (30 cm) in length, giving it the largest bill of all bird species! The edges of this large bill are very sharp, allowing the Shoebill to cut up its food before swallowing it. They feed mainly on aquatic animals like baby crocodiles and fish. Shoebills live in parts of east Africa, with most individuals living in the Sudan, and are considered vulnerable, mainly due to habitat loss.

Birdorable Shoebill Products

Tomorrow's bird is the largest 'true bird of prey' in the world. It breeds in high mountains and large forests across southern Europe and Asia. Can you guess what it will be?

Birdorable Bonanza Preview

Comments

Leslie on November 19, 2011 at 3:04 PM wrote:
Those guys weren't very cute to begin with, but you made them birdorable!!
Intellegent dodo on June 29, 2012 at 2:53 PM wrote:
I love shoebills and marabou storks in birdorable form!
Richelle Iskandar on February 15, 2021 at 5:42 AM wrote:
I like shoebills, peacocks, and Phoenixes.
Spurwing Plover on May 3, 2022 at 8:02 AM wrote:
The Loftwings from Zelda look like Shoebills
Spurwing Plover on December 17, 2022 at 8:12 AM wrote:
Shoebills can still fly

Leave a comment

Comments with links or HTML will be deleted. Your comment will be published pending approval.
Your email address will not be published
You can unsubscribe from these communications at any time. For more information on how to unsubscribe, our privacy practices, and how we are committed to protecting and respecting your privacy, please review our Privacy Policy. By clicking submit below, you consent to allow Birdorable to store and process the personal information submitted above to provide you the content requested.

Puerto Rico’s Feathered Treasures: The Island's Endemic Birds

Welcome to Puerto Rico Week on the Birdorable Blog! This week, we’re celebrating the incredible birdlife of Puerto Rico, an island rich in biodiversity and home to unique endemic bird species. From the rare Puerto Rican Amazon to the tiny, energetic Puerto Rican Tody,...

2019 Bonanza Bird #5: Spectacled Flowerpecker

Today's new Birdorable is really a brand new bird! The Spectacled Flowerpecker was officially described by science in October of this year. The bird was first sighted in Borneo in 2009, but a specimen wasn't available for detailed study until March...

Vulture Week: Threats Facing Vultures

We're celebrating Vulture Week because this Saturday, September 6th, marks International Vulture Awareness Day (IVAD). This commemorative day has been celebrated since at least 2009 and aims to highlight the importance of vultures and vulture conservation through education. Vultures around the world are in trouble. Over half of the...

Crane Festivals

It's Crane Week! You may be wondering where you can find cranes. There are cranes on every continent except for South America and Antarctica. With their elaborate mating dances, haunting calls, impressive size, and epic migrations, cranes are celebrated all around...