If you are wondering if the shoebill can fly despite its size, the answer is yes, and it has great skills. It is common to see it flying over its territory during the day. When food is plentiful, this bird does not migrate, but may move within its range to nest or optimize feeding.ĭespite its fearsome appearance, the shoebill does not usually attack humans and sometimes even allows them to approach the nest from a distance. To lose heat, this bird frequently flaps its wings to cool itself. Shoebills are also known for their slow movements and tendency to stand still for long periods of time, leading them to be described as "statuesque". Breeding pairs are generally kept at a distance in their territories. Only if food is scarce, several birds may be seen closer together. If you want to know more about other kinds of large birds, don't miss this article on the Rhea bird. The fingers are long, clearly divided, and there is no membrane between them.Its great size has to do with its long legs, which are blackish in color.In most cases, the eyes are large and yellowish, but in some cases they can be grayish-white.In the posterior region of the head there is a ridge on which a smaller tuft appears.The wing feathers are distinguished by a whitish edge and the wings have a lighter coloration. The bill of this bird resembles a clog and ends in a pointed, curved, hooked tip, hence the name.Their wingspan is 230 to 260 cm (7 ft 7 in to 8 ft 6 in).The average male weighs 12 lb (5.6 kg) and is larger than the average female at 11 lb ( 4.9 kg).It has an appearance that could be described as prehistoric, with an intimidating look.Shoebills are undoubtedly large birds, with a typical size of 43 to 55 inches (110 to 140 cm), with some specimens reaching 60 inches (152 cm).Let us take a look at some of its physical characteristics: There is no other area in all of Africa that can match a variety of bird species that Uganda has to offer including a Shoe bill Stork.Shoebills (Balaeniceps rex) are a really impressive animal that is easy to identify and looks very curious. The Pearl of Africa Uganda is the country that is best to see the Elusive Ancient appearing Shoe bill Stork in Uganda. Uganda is a birding paradise/destination, with almost 1,045 different bird species and believed to be a wonderland for birds.
Tourism once again can play a great role in their preservation as it is the case with Mountain Gorillas and Chimpanzees. There are about 1000 plus Shoe bill Storks in Uganda left today today and their greatest danger is development, sometimes they are hunted by fishermen as they are seen as a bad omen if seen before going out on the lake. When in flight they have a wide wingspan, their heads and necks retracted, they seem sluggish on the ground but are graceful in the air and when attacking their prey they pull back their wings and approach their prey in a way demonstrating their strength.
They tend to be nocturnal and do not have webbed feet which give them a stealth-like ability as they hunt for lungfish. The Shoe bill Stork in Uganda, a swamp expert, survives on a diet of mainly lungfish supplemented by frogs, puddle fish, even baby crocodiles, and water snakes all because of the sharp edges on their wide bill. They build their nests on the ground and usually lay two eggs and both parents share incubation duties for a month before the chicks are hatched and have to be fed for several months before they can start hunting for their own food. Way of Life of the shoebill stork in UgandaĪmazingly a shoe bill in Uganda stork can live for almost 50 years, shoe bill storks are solitary creatures that form monogamous relationships during mating season which is between April and June. The Arabs used to call the Shoe bill Stork “Abu Maruk” meaning father of the shoe one could call the Shoe bill Stork a flying shoe because of his unique bill. An amazing bird specie with prehistoric looks its height of up to 150 centimeters (5 feet) and weighs up to 14 pounds a most amazing bird found in the Pearl of Africa Uganda. Shoebill stork in Uganda, Mountain Gorillas and Chimpanzees are the most highlights when it comes to Uganda safaris and Wildlife, but it is also home to one of the most sought after bird in Africa the elusive Shoe bill Stork.
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