Their wings are quite large as well, folding back over their bodies and providing a fluffy layer of coverage. They tower over their feathered friends with long, skinny legs and spindly feet. While petting is discouraged, you can walk right up to them without fear of attack. Some locations even allow their shoebill storks to mingle freely with human guests. They’re popular additions to zoos and animal parks because of their larger-than-life appearance, and they’ll tolerate all kinds of gawking from tourists. In captivity, however, shoebill storks are gentle, docile creatures. Shoebill storks can be quite aggressive in the wild, so people tend to sensationalize them as “the stork of your nightmares” and “the most terrifying bird in the world.” They exist in the swamps and marshes of central Africa, and their strange physiology helps them with things like hunting, nesting, mating and defending their territory. There are a lot of reasons why you might cry “Photoshop!” when looking at shoebill storks. ![]() It’s one of the largest, strangest birds in Africa, and learning more about it will take you on a journey of everything from decapitation to deforestation.Īre you ready? Have you prepared yourself for these shoebill stork facts? Let’s learn about this weird bird! 1. It might look like a dinosaur, but the shoebill stork isn’t a T-Rex. Why do shoebill storks gravitate towards shallow water? What is the habitat of the shoebill stork? Why do shoebill storks shake their heads? Do shoebill storks care about their young at all? ![]() How many eggs does the shoebill stork lay? What do they look like? What other names does the shoebill stork have? What measures are being taken to protect the shoebill stork? What eats a shoebill stork? Predators and Threats RELATED ARTICLE: Meet these Adorable Round Birds that Can Do Perfect Splits!Ĭheck out more news and information on Birds on Science Times. Sadly, their numbers continue to go down as they lose their habitats because lands are cleared for pasture. ![]() However, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature has classified the shoebill as vulnerable species, with only between 3,300 and 5,300 adults left in the world. They sit on their eggs for at least 30 days to hatch. Although solitary in nature, both male and female shoebills participate in the development of their young, this includes incubating, turning the eggs, and cooling them with water. They only mate during the dry season to avoid the crowding of nests, and once it is over, they separate from each other. It is very rare to see two or more shoebill storks being next to each other. Even when they are paired or have mated, they still hunt and eat alone and away from their partners. As for chicks, they make a hiccup-like sound that indicates they are hungry.ĪLSO READ: Fun Fact: Is This A Creepy Bird With Multiple Legs? Apparently Not!Īccording to Africa Freak, shoebill storks are very territorial, so they live in solitary. ![]() They clap their lower jaw and upper jaw together to produce a hollow sound. Shoebills are able to make this sound using a technique known as gular fluttering, or the vibrating of the throat muscles to dissipate heat. Shoebill makes this loud bill-clattering display to attract a partner although it may sound scary to humans, it sounds attractive to these birds, especially during nesting season. It is very loud and scary that sounds like a hippopotamus calling. This "bill-clattering behavior" is also observed when they are greeting another bird. Shoebills are mostly silent as they wait for their prey, but they produce a strange sound that is not common among birds.ĭuring nesting, the adult shoebill makes awesome machine gun noises, Africa Freak reported. According to Soothing Nature, this fishing technique is called "collapsing," wherein it involves lunging or falling forward to their prey.īut that is not the only amazing thing about them. By the time a lungfish comes up for air, it would be already too late to notice this lethal prehistoric-looking bird. Shoebills can stay motionless for many hours so that it will not get noticed by their prey.
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