Of several common names, the most frequently used is shoebill, a reference to its unmistakable long bill, which resembles a clog.
What other names does it go by?
The shape of the shoebill's bill has also been described as similar in appearance to the head of a baleen whale, hence its Latin name, Balaeniceps rex, meaning 'whale-head king'. This explains why the species is also known as the whale-headed stork and the whalebill. Other common names for this grey giant include shoe-billed stork, boat bill, bog bird and swamp king. There is only one species of shoebill, and though these birds are sometimes (incorrectly) referred to as storks, they are more closely related to pelicans.
Why is the bill unique?
Powerful and 30cm long, the tan-coloured bill of a shoebill is one of the longest of all living birds. This 'kill bill' has sharp edges and a hook at the tip, which allow the shoebill to grab, grip and dispatch its prey. These features enable the big bird to hunt larger species than is typical for waders.
How does the shoebill catch prey?
This story is from the May 2024 edition of BBC Wildlife.
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This story is from the May 2024 edition of BBC Wildlife.
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