Shoebill Stork Size -Shoebill Facts, Lifespan, Weight & Birding Tours

Explore the Shoebill stork size and other multiple facts. By size, Shoebill storks are tall with average height of 110 to 140 cm. The height of shoebill storks using inches range from 43 to 55 in and can reach 152 cm.

The length from tail to beak, the Shoebill measures 100 to 140 cm. The wingspan ranges from 230 to 260 cm translating to about 7 ft 7 in to 8 ft to 6 in.

Shoebill stork (Balaeniceps rex) is described as the whale-headed stork. It is also features whale headed stork. They have long large long-legged wading bird. They fall under the order ciconiiformes. An adult shoebill stork has grey-like feathers and when young, they can be brown.

Shoebill storks are smart bird species. They are popular for their slow movement. They often shake their heads in order to dislodge weedy debris or leftovers lungfish.

Unique Facts About Shoebill Stork Size, Height, Weight, Feet & More

The Height of Shoebill

Shoebill storks grow tall to a height measuring 110 to 140 cm. Others can reach the height of 152 cm. The tails of shoebill storks grows from 100 to 140 cm, while their wings reach 230 to 260 cm.

Shoebill Stork Size -Beak

Shoebill storks feature the largest beaks. Worldwide, the shoebill stork are listed 3^rd with longest beak. They derive their name from the nature of their beaks which measures about 20 cm wide and 24 cm long. The beaks are designed in a way that allows them to hunt for small and large prey in the swamp or wetland areas.

Great Hunters

The shoebill storks are known for their unique hunting styles. They are a few calculative birds when hunting for their prey. Often, they stand and motionless on floating vegetation as their tactic to strike their prey.

Shoebill Stork Size

The shoebill weighs between 4 and 7 kg (males) and 4.9 kg (females). The shoebill wings are broad with chord length measuring between 58.8 and 78 cm. The adults plumage blue-grey and darker slaty-grey flight features.

Sounds

Shoebill storks are silent creatures but can bill-clatter in their nests. When clattering, the adults utter a cow-like moo sound on a high pitch. When nesting, adults and nestlings engage in bill-clattering. This is one way they communicate to one another.

Great parents

Female shoebill storks lay eggs at the end of the rainy season. The shoebill lays about 2-3 eggs and parents take responsibility to ensure safety of the eggs. Often, they build floating nests on vegetation. The shoebill ensure that eggs are properly incubated.

Flight

Shoebill hold their wings flat when flying. They fly with their necks retracted. They can flap up to 150 flaps per minute. They are generally the slowest birds when it comes to flying.

Distribution –shoebill stork

Shoebill storks are distributed in the wetland areas in Africa. Key regions shoebills are distributed include Uganda, South Sudan, Rwanda, Western Tanzania, and Northern Zambia. A section of shoebills also exist some parts of Malawi, North Cameroon, Upper Congo River, Kenya, and Ethiopia.

Breeding

Shoebill storks solitary avifaunal species. Compared to pelicans, herons, and cormorants, the shoebill stork use nests during breeding season. The adults take responsibility to defend the territory of 2 to 4 sq. km. The incubation period for shoebills take 30 days and adults engage in the feeding, provision of shade, guarding, nestling and other multiple responsibilities.

Diet of shoebill storks

Shoebill storks depend on tilapia, lungfish, catfish, and frogs. At times, they can catch water snakes, Nile monitor lizards and young crocodiles.

Lifespan -Shoebill Stork Size

Shoebill storks can live up to 50 years. A shoebill becomes mature at 3 to 4 years. About 3300 to 5300 adult shoebill storks still survive in the world.

Shoebill Stork Size feet

Shoebill can stand 3.5 to 5 feet.

Can shoebills fly?

Yes, but they are slow with only 150 flap per minutes.

Are shoebills aggressive?

Shoebill storks are docile with humans and show no threatening behaviors. They can be observed in their nests at even close range of about 2 meters. They even exist in the zoos like Entebbe zoo in Uganda.

Why do shoebill bow?

Shoebill storks bow during their mating ritual.

Best places to find shoebills in Uganda

In Uganda, the best places to explore shoebill storks on Uganda safaris include Murchison Falls National Park, Mabamba Wetland or Swamp, Queen Elizabeth National Park (at Ishasha area), Lake Mburo National Park, UWEC, Lugogo Swamp in Nakasongola, Nyakakuza Swamp, Lwera Swamp, and more.

Shoebill Stork Size -Birding Tour Package

1 Day Shoebill Watching Mabamba -Best Uganda Birding Tour

Book a special 1 Day Shoebill Watching Mabamba wetland/swamp tour, a rewarding day birding tour in Uganda. The 1-day shoebill bird-watching excursion is best for enthusiastic birders on Uganda safaris. This short Uganda birding trip plan takes you on a search for shoebill storks and other birds that survive in the Mabamba Wetland.

Mabamba Wetland/Swamp/Bay lies along the shores of Lake Victoria and is one of the premier birding tour destinations.

Mabamba Bay birding tour involves exploring incredible birds including shoebill storks, goliath heron, water thick-knee, waterfowl, long-toed lapwing, and other. Contact Us to Book a Tour