Incredible Giant Shoebill Stork Looks Like A Real Dinosaur

Cynthia McKanzie – MessageToEagle.com – Some animals on our planet are really extraordinary in their own special way. One of them is the Shoebill Stork. This incredible giant bird looks just like a real dinosaur.

As we all know, dinosaurs went extinct millions of years ago, but their evolutionary offspring still walk among us. Some call the Shoebill Stork the scariest bird and the animal is very dangerous, a real “killing machine”.

The Shoebill Stork (also known as a shoe-billed stork or whalehead) in the swamps and tropics of East Africa.

Credit: Public Domain

When we say the bird is large, we mean it’s really a big bird. It’s larger than a child. The bird’s height range of 110 to 140 cm (43 to 55 in) and some specimens reaching as much as 152 cm (60 in). Length from tail to beak can range from 100 to 140 cm (39 to 55 in) and wingspan is 230 to 260 cm (7 ft 7 in – to 8 ft 6 in). The Shoebill’s feet are also exceptionally large, with the middle toe reaching 16.8 to 18.5 cm (6.6 to 7.3 in) in length, likely assisting the species in its ability to stand on aquatic vegetation while hunting.

Credit: Public Domain

The giant bird’s beak looks almost menacing. That sharp hooked curve right at the end of its bill is a remnant of a raptor-like bone structure. The Shoebill’s conspicuous bill is its most well-known feature and the bird can decapitate its prey and also discard any vegetation after prey has been caught.

One of the bird’s unique qualities is its patience. The Shoebill Stork can stand still for hours waiting for its prey. It eats fish, young crocodiles, and giant monitor lizards.

The Shoebill was known to both ancient Egyptians and Arabs, but it was not classified by modern scientists until the 19th century.

See also:

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Unfortunately, nicknamed “king of the marshes.”, this unique giant bird is Shoebill Stork on the list of endangered species due to illegal trade and habitat destruction from oil exploration and the expansion of farms.

As DODO reports, “ luckily, residents living near shoebill habitats in Mambamba Lake, East Africa, have noticed the birds are targets of the trade, so they formed volunteer groups to keep an eye out for suspected poachers and work with local law enforcement to report them.

They also bring visitors through the dense marshlands — and if they’re lucky, they’ll get a once-in-a-lifetime glimpse of these iconic birds in the wild.”

To help protect shoebills in the wild, you can make a donation to BirdLife International.

Written by Cynthia McKanzie – MessageToEagle.com Staff Writer

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