Its belly and tail feathers are white, and what might be called a crest on top of its head is also gray. Some scientific publications show the Hammerkop (Scopus umbretta) as what may be a distant “cousin”, as the shoebill stork is the only one of the Balaenicipitidae family.Īs an adult, it has predominantly gray plumage and a greenish tone on the back. Its long, slender black legs and prominent bill may resemble a heron or a pelican: but it is not related to either, not even the common stork. It is believed that it has this name because its beak looks like a shoe, those in the Dutch style, with a sharp point and in the shape of a hook. Its wingspan (distance between the tip of one wing to the other) can exceed 7 feet. The Shoebill stork impresses with its size and majesty: its height varies from 3.5 – 5 feet and can weigh an average of 12 pounds. Image: How Stuff Works Physical features of Balaeniceps rex Let’s get to know a little about this amazing bird! Enjoy reading and have fun. Maybe that’s why, unfortunately, it’s endangered. The shoebill stork is docile and interacts well with humans. In some countries, it is also known by the name whale-headed stork or whalebill.īut despite these features, there is no need to be scared. Their peculiar and exotic, almost prehistoric appearance, in addition to their intimidating look, are visible proof that birds were once dinosaurs. Take a look at the photos below and you will understand why. No other bird can remind us of its kinship with dinosaurs as well as the Shoebill stork or Shoe-billed Stork (Balaeniceps rex).
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