The size of the platform is about 3.1 to 3.5 ft (1 to 1.7 m) and is often submerged in water at a depth of up to 9.8 ft (3 m). The Shoebill stork is one of the tallest birds in Africa. The shoebill lays 1-3 eggs on a nesting platform made of vegetation. The nests of the shoebill are far apart from each other there are in fact only three nests per square kilometer! The shoebill is by nature a solitary bird as opposed to the heron and the pelican, which are living in a colony setting. As for the young chicks, they will make their presence known when they are hungry, and through sounds that resemble hiccups. The only time the adult bird emits sounds is during the mating season by making bill-clattering sounds. So, if you are lucky enough to find the shoebill while on a bird-watching safari, you will be able to capture great close-up pictures! Some Fascinating Behaviorsįirst off, the shoebill is known to be a silent bird. Since the water is poorly oxygenated, the fish has to resurface to catch a gulp of air, and at that precise moment, the shoebill strikes with incredible speed and accuracy!īecause of the bird’s ability to stand motionless while it hunts, the shoebill has earned the nickname of a “statue-like” bird. Therefore, the King whale head usually stands over the floating vegetation or on the bank of swamps and waits for the fish. The shoebill prefers to hunt at night and uses the ambush technique to catch its prey. The shoebill storks have a height range of about 110cm-140cm while standing tall on its legs and a long foot that goes up to 18cm which enables them to stand on. However, its diet is not limited to fishes and also comprises amphibians, snakes, lizards, rodents, and baby crocodiles! The diet of the shoebill includes many species of fish such as its favorite dish, the lungfish, but also other species like the tilapia and the catfish. Hjalmar Gislason from Reykjavik, Iceland, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons The FeetĪnother characteristic that stands out when you look at the shoebill is, its large feet! The middle toe has a length of 6.6 to 7.3 inches (16.8-18.5 cm) which helps with the shoebill’s balance, especially during hunting since it stands motionless for extended periods of time.
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