They have also been sighted in a number of nearby locations within Africa, but the vast majority of the population lives in central Africa.
![shoebill stork sound shoebill stork sound](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/3e/c5/f6/3ec5f6ead3d94d21d66d0087641393e0.jpg)
They can be found in the southern portions of Sudan, the eastern Congo, Uganda, Rwanda, western Tanzania, and the northern portions of Zambia. These birds are found exclusively in the tropical area of central Africa. They are occasionally spotted in flooded agricultural plantations and rice fields. Virtually every wetland that this species can be found in has papyrus, typha, and phragmites plants. They live in swamps with mixed papyrus plants and other vegetation. They are successful at hunting in aquatic environments, and most often live in freshwater swamps and marshes. This species has a relatively restricted range and habitat. They will also prey on crocodiles! Well, baby crocodiles (they’re big, but not that big!). After a While, Crocodile – When we say these birds are impressive predators, we mean it! They are carnivorous, and have been known to feed on lungfish, eels, snakes, frogs, rats, and lizards.The blood circulating through that area is cooled by their poop, and reduces their overall body temperature. One effective cooling method these birds employ is defecating on their own feet and legs. Cool Excrement – No we don’t mean they have cool looking poop, we mean their feces is literally cool! Under the hot African sun, these birds will do just about anything to cool off.So still, in fact, that prey doesn’t even realize they’re there! When a tasty frog or eel swims by, the shoebill lunges forward and snaps its sharp bill around its meal. They can stand incredibly still for long periods of time. Patient Predator – These birds utilize those long legs while hunting by wading into the waters of marshes and ponds.While they naturally draw attention because of their unusual appearance, there are a number of fun facts that many people don’t know about these interesting birds! Shoebills have several ways of cooling themselves, including gular fluttering, i.e., expanding their throat sac to allow greater passage of air and defecating on their legs to keep them from being exposed to heat.These predators are surprisingly fierce and vicious while dispatching prey.The presence of the nictitating membrane keeps their eyes moist, also protecting them from dirt and dust. Their vision is strong, relying on it entirely for hunting.Their long toes that lack webbing help the shoebill walk on vegetation with ease like the jacana while maintaining their balance using their wings.The large bills are the most striking feature of the shoebill, helping it scoop up large prey, which it kills using its beak’s razor-sharp edge.Only large, desperately hungry animals like crocodiles attempt to attack them but only do so on rare occasions.Ĭhicks are sometimes stolen from their nests, but only when the parents aren’t around. They are some of the slowest birds to ever fly, at 150 flaps per minute, and cover distances of less than 330 to 1,640 ft.Īdult birds have no known natural predators due to their large size and intimidating appearance. They are capable of flight but are rarely seen doing so, indicating a reluctance to fly.
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These birds expel the excessive items keeping only their quarry, which gets decapacitated before its consumption. They pick up water and vegetation, along with their intended prey.