Bonanza Bird #2: Shoebill

November 19, 2011 in Storks and Birdorable Bonanza 2011 with 5 comments

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 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.

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?

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

Comments with links or HTML will be deleted. Your comment will be published pending approval.

Your name (required)

Your email address (required)

Your email address will not be published

Comment (required)

I agree to receive updates and news from Birdorable

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.

Did you know? Fecal sacs

May 2, 2014

Birds don't wear diapers. But in some songbirds, babies expel their waste in a membrane-filled sac, which is then removed from the nest by a parent. Fecal...

Autumn Birds: How They Thrive in Fall’s Changing Landscape

October 8, 2024

As autumn paints the landscape in vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows, birds are busy preparing for the changing season. While fall signals migration for many species, for others, it's a time to feast and get ready for winter. The connection between birds and fall foliage goes beyond beauty...

How Many Bird Species Are There in the World?

January 15, 2025

The number of bird species in the world has long been considered to be around 10,000—a nice, round figure repeated in birding guides and scientific references for decades. However, the real number is far from static. It fluctuates as scientists make new discoveries, reclassify known species, and adjust...

Cape Coral Florida's Feathered Ambassador: Celebrating the Official City Bird

March 6, 2024

Many countries have an official national bird. For example, the national bird of Belgium is the Common Kestrel, and the national bird of Israel is the Hoopoe. All U.S. states also have official birds. But did you know that there are even some cities that have their own official bird?

Birdorable Blog