Shoebill Explained

The shoebill is a large wading bird. It stands up to 152 cm tall and hunts by sight alone.

John Gould named it Balaeniceps rex in 1850 from a skin collected on the upper White Nile. Balaeniceps means whale head in Latin.

Its bill measures 18.8 to 24 cm along the top, the third longest among living birds. It can outrival pelicans in circumference.

It flaps its wings 150 times per minute.

Genetic evidence moved it out of the stork order into Pelecaniformes. Its closest relative is the hamerkop. Even genetic evidence cannot explain that name.

It prefers poorly oxygenated water where fish surface to breathe. Hippopotamuses sometimes force fish up, helping the hunt inadvertently.

Nesting pairs defend 2 to 4 square kilometers. They rarely raise more than one chick.

Fledging takes around 105 days, with another month of feeding after that. It remains statue-like while waiting.