The beak is oddly long and broad, with a sharp nail at the end of its mandible. The “shoebill stork” got its name for its prominent beak that is shaped like a shoe. Here are 8 interesting facts to answer your questions. There is a lot more to this awkward bird than the eye can see – or hear. In disregard of their heavy weight and portion, these birds are shy creatures. 8 Interesting Facts About Shoebill Storks Adults produce loud repetitive sounds as a form of communication. When shoebill chicks solicit food, their sound is similar to a human with hiccups. These are quick repetitive bursts sounding like a machine gun, or tribal drums beating. The shoebill produces its sound by clapping the lower jaw and upper jaw of its bill together, producing a loud hollow sound. However, to a mate, it’s the main attraction during nesting season. This sound is loud and frankly quite freaky.
The birds release a loud interjection making a bill-clattering display to attract a partner. It sounds similar to hippopotamus’ call but on steroids. The time when they do make noise is mating time. They are masters of patience and can stand in the water like statues for endless hours – waiting for their next prey to swim by. Shoebills don’t make much noise and are usually silent birds. Spotting one of these giant dinosaur-like birds on a safari tour is undoubtedly a must-see. Shoebill storks are found in marshes, wetlands, and swampy areas in eastern Africa. The shoebill stork, also known as the whale-headed stork, or shoe-billed stork, is a big grey bird scientifically named as Balaeniceps Rex. This gigantic bird looks as though it came from some prehistoric dinosaur time. The younger chicks are usually left to die, unless the eldest is weak or doesn’t survive.Well, listening to a shoebill stork’s mating call sure gives you the chance to hear one. Although shoebills commonly hatch more than one chick, they only raise one. Females lay up to three eggs and when hatched, both parents feed, guard, and shade the chicks. The breeding pair build their nest together on floating vegetation and defend their territory aggressively. Even when paired up in the breeding season, shoebills still appreciate their own space and will feed at opposite ends of their territory. The shoebill is a solitary species, choosing to forage 20 metres or more apart and when breeding, less than three nests are found per square kilometre. They primarily eat fish, showing a preference for lungfish, but will also prey on frogs, water snakes, and young crocodiles. Their sharp, large beak allows the shoebill to hunt larger prey than is typical for wading birds. Once prey is in its sights, the bird will quickly strike, with 60% of attempts resulting in a kill. Their patience pays off when it’s time to feed, allowing them to ambush unsuspecting prey who likely had no idea the motionless bird was lurking in the area.
Shoebills are mostly sedentary and can remain still as a statue for hours. Its sharp edges and hook at the tip allows the bird to grab, grip, and kill live prey. At a foot long, their bill is the third longest of all living birds. Have you ever seen a bill quite like the one of a shoebill? The bird is aptly named after this signature feature and its resemblance to a Dutch clog.