![]() A number of things are threatening the species including its increased popularity in the pet trade, hunting, and the usual habitat loss and nest destruction. Its status comes from the fact that less than 8,000 in population have been counted. The Shoebill Stork is listed as a vulnerable species. To maintain balance of its oddly proportioned body, the Shoebill Stork will spread its wings behind him for stability when going for the kill. Its neck is not a thin one to accommodate, and its legs are long and strong (like a Stork's), with large, non-webbed feet that can be as long as 18 centimeters alone. The Shoebill Stork is known for its large head and large, wide bill that resembles a shoe. This is because it forces the wildlife and fish living in the water to come up for air and easily fall prey to the Shoebill. The Shoebill Stork is actually more closely related to the Heron and the Pelican. You can observe the bird on top of floating vegetation on waters that are poorly oxygenated (swampy, immobile water). The Shoebill Stork uses its large bill to probe the mud around him in search of these food sources. This big stork feeds off frogs, small crocodiles, and fish, mainly Lungfish. During nesting the bird will clap its break together, and its young can make sounds like 'hiccups' to alert the mature storks they are hungry. As previously mentioned, the Stork is quiet most of the time but does make noises to communicate with each other. The young birds will not take their first steps for the first two and a half months! They are born brown and by maturity will be bluish-grey. Usually only one or two eggs, rarely three, are hatched per brood and they are helpless for some time after being incubated for 30 days. Their nests are made of grasses and their eggs are large and chalky. The Shoebill Storks nest in the ground, in a high and dry place. Shoebills are largely solitary birds that only commune to mate and raise their young afterward. The bird itself can weigh as much as 6 kg. ![]() It can remain silent in place a long period of time while waiting for prey to enter its sight. The Shoebill Stork is known for its large head and large, wide bill that resembles a shoe. Not only is the beak deadly, sharp, and oddly shape. Their long, shoe-shaped beak is used to eat small animals and fish in a single gulp. ![]() Their beak is the reason they are called shoebill storks. The adult is mainly grey while the juveniles are browner. It hunts at night and is known to be extremely quiet for its size. These birds are quite large, and can easily stand over 4 feet tall Their most distinguishing characteristic is their distinctive bill, which is shaped almost exactly like a shoe The bill has a sharp, curved tip and sharp edges to kill and decapitate prey. The shoebill stork facts: This is an impressive and somewhat ugly dinosaur-like bird that is found in Uganda. The Shoebill Stork has long broad wings and is a great flier when it needs to be, but the bird is partially nocturnal which makes it usually a little sluggish in nature.
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