Shoebill storks are living dinosaurs series#

Their wings flap at a rate of 150 flaps per minute. Because they have actual wings and the capacity to fly, this behavior effectively protects them from falling. Much like how humans will use their arms to keep their bodies from falling backward, shoebill storks will flail and create lift to push their bodies forward. Like other birds, the shoebill stork can easily lose balance because they stand on two legs. They use their wings to fly, intimidate predators, and keep their balance. When fully extended, Shoebill Stork wings are five times larger than their bodies! The wingspan of a Shoebill stretches 2.5 meters!

The wings are the largest extensions of their bodies. They Use Their Wings to Fly and Keep Balance

It can be more than a quarter the size of the rest of their bodies. The beak of a shoebill can be 24 centimeters long and 20 centimeters wide. This sharp curve is used to pierce through the bodies of their prey to assist in digestion. The end of the beak curves down and forms a hook. Their long, shoe-shaped beak is used to eat small animals and fish in a single gulp. Their beak is the reason they are called “Shoebill Storks.” That is half as long as a bowling pin! The average human foot is 23 centimeters. The shoebill stork has large feet! The average shoebill foot can be up to 18 centimeters long. Their Feet Can Be Up to 18 Centimeters Long Some shoebills born in 1984 are still alive today! Shoebills born this year might live to the year 2053. Shoebill storks can live long enough to see seven generations. The average dog will live to be 15 years old. The shoebill stork can live for up to 35 years! That is a good age for an animal – especially a bird. Potential mates love the sound and will come to the noisy shoebill.

Shoebill storks are living dinosaurs series#

It is a series of loud, terrifying popping noises. However, come mating time, the shoebill will release a loud cry to attract a partner. That is why it will never make noise when hunting for prey.

Part of being stealthy and waiting for the right moment is staying silent. They Don’t Make Much Noise, But They Are Loud When They Do! Learn more about other animals in Uganda. If it is small enough to fit into their mouth – they will eat it. They will eat eels, catfish, snakes, and lungfish. They lunge forward with their sharp bill and pick up the creature, devouring it whole. They know that if they wait long enough for the right moment, they will find their next meal.Īt the right moment, the shoebill will leap from cover and attack the prey. Shoebills eat at night and sit perfectly still, blending in with the darkness around them. They will stand in water, large patches of grass, and other hiding places for hours on end. However, even though they pick fights, they do not win all of the time! 3. Storks have been known to fight Nile crocodiles, other species of storks, and even each other. If a strong animal makes the stork unhappy for whatever reason, including being in their line of sight, the stork has no problem attacking the creature. If a weak animal comes across their path, the stork will leap from their hiding place to turn it into a meal. They fight off small and large animals alike. The shoebill stork does not take no for an answer! The species is aggressive. Illness is rampant, predators are everywhere, and food can be scarce. Living in the marsh presents an extreme danger. They Are Brave – Even Attacking Crocodiles Here’s a glimpse of what it looks like in the wild:Ģ. It is true! If you visit the marsh, you might see this extraordinary, one-of-a-kind creature hiding in tall grass and waiting for its prey. The Shoebill Stork is an extremely interesting creature. Young are Dependant Until 2.5 Months Oldĭid you know that the legendary Shoebill Storks can be found in Uganda? Live in Marshes in Sudan, Rwanda, Uganda, and Zambia

15 Interesting Facts About the Shoebill.