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Shoebill

Balaeniceps rex

Vulnerable
Длина
120,0 cm
Размах крыльев
240,0 cm
Масса
5500,0 g
Семейство
Balaenicipitidae
Отряд
Pelecaniformes

О нас

The shoebill is one of the most sought-after birds for birdwatchers visiting Africa, prized for its prehistoric appearance and massive bill. It can stand motionless for hours before collapsing forward to seize prey in its enormous bill. Despite standing over a meter tall, shoebills weigh relatively little due to their hollow bones.

Physical Description

Measurement Value Imperial
Body Length 120,0 cm 47.2 in
Размах крыльев 240,0 cm 94.5 in
Масса 5500,0 g 194.01 oz

Идентификация

Оперение

Blue-grey plumage overall with a slightly darker back and wings. Powder down gives a washed-out appearance. Small tuft on the back of the head.

Клюв

Massive shoe-shaped bill, one of the largest of any bird — pale yellowish-grey with darker markings

Habitat & Range

Freshwater swamps dominated by papyrus and other dense aquatic vegetation in tropical East Africa.

Географический ареал

Central and East Africa from South Sudan and Ethiopia south to Zambia. Largest populations in South Sudan and Uganda.

Diet & Feeding

Primarily lungfish, also catfish, water snakes, monitor lizards, and baby crocodiles. Hunts by standing motionless, then lunging with its entire body.

Охранный статус

Vulnerable
IUCN Red List

Поведение и размножение

Гнездование

Nest type: M. Incubation: 30 days. Fledging: 95-105 days.

Размер кладки

1-3

Звук

Пение

Largely silent; produces mechanical bill-clattering 'clap-clap-clap' when greeting at the nest — similar to White Stork. Also gives low croaking grunts. Rarely calls in the wild.

Таксономия

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Aves
Отряд Pelecaniformes (Pelicans & Herons)
Семейство Balaenicipitidae (Shoebill)
Genus Balaeniceps
Виды Balaeniceps rex

Distribution

Shoebill has been recorded in 1 countries.

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Присутствует Not recorded
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countries highlighted

External Databases

Часто задаваемые вопросы

What does the Shoebill eat?
Primarily lungfish, also catfish, water snakes, monitor lizards, and baby crocodiles. Hunts by standing motionless, then lunging with its entire body.
Where does the Shoebill live?
Freshwater swamps dominated by papyrus and other dense aquatic vegetation in tropical East Africa.
Is the Shoebill endangered?
The Shoebill has a conservation status of Vulnerable.
How does the Shoebill nest?
Nest type: M. Incubation: 30 days. Fledging: 95-105 days.
What does the Shoebill sound like?
Largely silent; produces mechanical bill-clattering 'clap-clap-clap' when greeting at the nest — similar to White Stork. Also gives low croaking grunts. Rarely calls in the wild.
How big is the Shoebill?
The Shoebill has a body length of 120.0 cm, wingspan of 240.0 cm, weight of 5500.0 g.
What order and family does the Shoebill belong to?
The Shoebill (Balaeniceps rex) belongs to the order Pelecaniformes and the family Balaenicipitidae.

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