Shoebills

The shoebill is one of the strangest-looking birds in the world. It has a huge bill shaped like a wooden shoe. Shoebills are very tall, about 4 to 5 feet high. They live in the big swamps of central and eastern Africa. Some people call them the dinosaur bird because they look so ancient.

That Amazing Bill

A shoebill's bill can be almost a foot long. It has a sharp hook on the end for grabbing slippery fish. The bill is strong enough to catch catfish, eels, baby crocodiles, and even snakes. The shoebill stands very still in the water and waits. When a fish comes close, it lunges down fast to grab it.

Living in the Swamp

Shoebills live in thick marshes with tall grasses and papyrus plants. They like quiet places where they will not be bothered. Each shoebill has its own big hunting territory. They build nests on floating mats of plants. Shoebills do not fly much, but when they do, they are strong fliers.

Quiet but Clattering

Shoebills are usually silent, but they make a loud sound by clacking their bills together. This is called bill clattering and sounds like a machine gun. They do it to say hello to their mates and babies. Shoebills also bow their heads when greeting each other. Baby shoebills have fluffy gray feathers.

Fun Facts

• Shoebills can stand still for many hours while waiting for fish.
• They sometimes stare right at people, which makes them look very serious.
• The shoebill's scientific name means whale-headed.

Did You Know?

Baby shoebills usually have two eggs in a nest, but most often only one chick survives because the older chick is stronger.