logo
Funny Animals Interesting Freaky Pop Culture

Redditors Learn About Shoebill, A Bird That Stalk Their Prey Patiently While Striding Very Slowly And Is Frequently Motionless

by Maryjane

A very large wading bird with long legs, the shoebill (Balaeniceps rex) is also known as the whalebill, whale-headed stork, or shoe-billed stork. Its large shoe-shaped bill is where its name comes from.

Its general shape is fairly stork-like, and because of this, it was originally included with storks in the order Ciconiiformes. However, genetic data placed it in the Pelecaniformes order, alongside herons and pelicans.

Although it's possible that the shoebill was known to the Ancient Egyptians, classification didn't occur until the 19th century, when skins and subsequently live specimens were introduced to Europe. The shoebill has been referred to as "statue-like" due to its sluggish movements and propensity to remain stationary for extended periods of time.

Because they are so sensitive to human disturbance, they may leave their nests if people disturb them. However, when foraging, this wader can be relatively docile, provided there is thick foliage between it and people.

The shoebill prefers low-oxygen environments like swamps, marshes, and bogs where fish frequently come to the surface to breathe. The shoebill frequently stands and perches on floating vegetation, which is unusual for a bird this size and gives them the appearance of a giant jacana, though the similarly sized and occasionally sympatric Goliath heron (Ardea goliath) is also known to do so.

More Info: Reddit, Wikipedia

Meet u/My_Bird_Buddy, a Redditor who has shared an interesting piece of information with the TodayILearned subreddit community

Meet u/My_Bird_Buddy, a Redditor who has shared an interesting piece of information with the TodayILearned subreddit communityu/My_Bird_Buddy

This is a Shoebill and they are known to prey on baby crocodiles, amongst other species

This is a Shoebill and they are known to prey on baby crocodiles, amongst other speciesWikipedia

The juveniles are browner than the adults, which are mostly gray. It inhabits expansive marshes in tropical East Africa, from South Sudan to Zambia.

Due to their solitary nature, shoebills forage at least 20 meters (66 feet) apart, even in areas that are rather densely populated. Keep scrolling to see what Redditors had to chirp into this discovery.

Hitting their prey with the machine gun

Hitting their prey with the machine gunReddit

This Redditor believes shoebills are so cool

This Redditor believes shoebills are so coolReddit

Shoebills actually sound like machine guns

Shoebills actually sound like machine gunsReddit

According to this Redditor, they are consummate hunters

According to this Redditor, they are consummate huntersReddit

That looks like a person in a bird costume

That looks like a person in a bird costumeReddit

This species patiently and slowly hunts its prey while hiding. The shoebill moves very slowly and is frequently immobile when hunting.

This species does not have a reputation for using tactile hunting techniques, unlike some other large waders. Instead, it hunts entirely by vision.

When prey is spotted, it strikes quickly and violently. However, handling time after the strike can last longer than 10 minutes, depending on the size of the prey.

About 60% of strikes result in a kill. During the strike, water and vegetation are frequently snatched up and spilled out from the edges of the mandibles.

They can approach pretty close to the nest

They can approach pretty close to the nestReddit

According to this Redditor, it looked so unrealistic

According to this Redditor, it looked so unrealisticReddit

I have mastered the art of moving so incredibly well

I have mastered the art of moving so incredibly wellReddit

They look like real life muppets

They look like real life muppetsReddit

It is pretty cool to watch

It is pretty cool to watchReddit

She's a clever girl

She's a clever girlReddit

For this Redditor, shoebill are creepy looking

For this Redditor, shoebill are creepy lookingReddit

Why do these exist and they are dinosaurs, no?

Why do these exist and they are dinosaurs, no?Reddit

This Redditor is asking their own greetings

This Redditor is asking their own greetingsReddit

Hippopotamus activity may unintentionally help the shoebill because periodically, submerged hippos force fish to the surface. The shoebill can hunt large prey thanks to its razor-edged beak, enormous bill, and broad gape, frequently going after prey that is larger than what other large wading birds can capture.

Leave your thoughts about this bird in the comments below.

Share this article:

Facebook icon Pinterest icon Tumblr icon Link icon Twitter icon

Related Articles

15 Hilarious Photos From The 2024 Comedy Pet Photo Awards

15 Hilarious Photos From The 2024 Comedy Pet Photo Awards

Here Are 30 Of The Cutest Animal Memes To Feel Your Day With Warmth And Fuzziness

Here Are 30 Of The Cutest Animal Memes To Feel Your Day With Warmth And Fuzziness

Cat Owner Made The Ultimate Cat-Sitting Manual To Ensure Her Cats Get Royal Treatment

Cat Owner Made The Ultimate Cat-Sitting Manual To Ensure Her Cats Get Royal Treatment

Cat Collects So Many Neighbor's Shoes, Owner Creates Facebook Group To Return Them

Cat Collects So Many Neighbor's Shoes, Owner Creates Facebook Group To Return Them

Exceptionally Rare "Doomsday Fish" Discovered Off Southern California Coast

Exceptionally Rare "Doomsday Fish" Discovered Off Southern California Coast

Here’s A Look At The World’s Largest Spider That’s Moved Into Northern South America

Here’s A Look At The World’s Largest Spider That’s Moved Into Northern South America

This Beloved Penguin Was Famous For A Fascinating Reason—And The World Is Morning Its Death

This Beloved Penguin Was Famous For A Fascinating Reason—And The World Is Morning Its Death

Lily Allen Gave Up Her Adopted Dog For The Strangest Reason

Lily Allen Gave Up Her Adopted Dog For The Strangest Reason

A Look At The Terrifying Moment Orca Came Into View With Trainer In Its Mouth

A Look At The Terrifying Moment Orca Came Into View With Trainer In Its Mouth

Toronto Zoo Orangutan's Daring Escape Attempt From Outdoor Habitat Caught On Video By Surprised Guests

Toronto Zoo Orangutan's Daring Escape Attempt From Outdoor Habitat Caught On Video By Surprised Guests

Scientists Detect DNA Of Alive Prehistoric Fish In The Connecticut River, Kicking Off A Race To Locate It

Scientists Detect DNA Of Alive Prehistoric Fish In The Connecticut River, Kicking Off A Race To Locate It

Golden Eagle Attacks 20-Month-Old Girl And Three Others In Norway, Leaving Deep Wounds

Golden Eagle Attacks 20-Month-Old Girl And Three Others In Norway, Leaving Deep Wounds

Portland Airport Gains Popularity Online For Its Therapy Liamas

Portland Airport Gains Popularity Online For Its Therapy Liamas

Scientists Poured Cement Into Abandoned Ant Hill And Made Interesting Discovery

Scientists Poured Cement Into Abandoned Ant Hill And Made Interesting Discovery

Gen Z Revamps Animal Shelter’s Marketing, and the Internet Can't Get Enough

Gen Z Revamps Animal Shelter’s Marketing, and the Internet Can't Get Enough

22 Heartwarming Pictures Of Overly Cute Dogs That'll Leave You Grinning From Ear To Ear

22 Heartwarming Pictures Of Overly Cute Dogs That'll Leave You Grinning From Ear To Ear

Artist's Reimagined Disney-Style Pet Portraits Leave Their Owners In Awe

Artist's Reimagined Disney-Style Pet Portraits Leave Their Owners In Awe

From Mischief To Fame—Raccoon Becomes TikTok Sensation

From Mischief To Fame—Raccoon Becomes TikTok Sensation

Veterinarian Sparks Debate By Naming 5 Dog Breeds He’d Avoid

Veterinarian Sparks Debate By Naming 5 Dog Breeds He’d Avoid

Cat’s Apology Card Goes Viral After Vet Visit Gone Wrong

Cat’s Apology Card Goes Viral After Vet Visit Gone Wrong

This Orphaned Kitten’s Plush Mama Is The Cuddle Buddy We All Need

This Orphaned Kitten’s Plush Mama Is The Cuddle Buddy We All Need

Four Pandas Delight Zoo Visitors With An Adorable Tea Party Picnic

Four Pandas Delight Zoo Visitors With An Adorable Tea Party Picnic

50 Rescued Cats and Their Inspiring Makeovers

50 Rescued Cats and Their Inspiring Makeovers

Canadian Border Agents Stunned By Unexpected Find After Peeking Into Mysterious Box From China

Canadian Border Agents Stunned By Unexpected Find After Peeking Into Mysterious Box From China

Cat’s Reluctant Attack On Dog In Funny Video Has Everyone Cracking Up

Cat’s Reluctant Attack On Dog In Funny Video Has Everyone Cracking Up

Heartbroken Dog Abandoned for Being ‘Ugly’ Finds His Angel

Heartbroken Dog Abandoned for Being ‘Ugly’ Finds His Angel

Categories

Funny Animals Interesting Freaky Pop Culture

Business

About Us Advertise Contact Us

Legal

Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy DMCA Removal
 Logo
About Us Privacy DMCA Removal Contact Us Terms Funny Animals Interesting Freaky Pop Culture

© 2025 - All Rights Reserved

 logo

Sign In to

facebook icon Sign in with facebook
facebook icon Sign in with google

Or sign in with email

Need an account? Sign Up

Forgot Password?

By creating an account, you agree to the Terms of Service

 logo

Sign Up to

Already have an account? Sign In

By creating an account, you agree to the Terms of Service

Edit profile

User Photo