Shoebill

Balaenicipitidae

Taxonomy Version: IOC 10.2
family
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Several genera of extinct birds are thought to have belonged to the Balaenicipitidae, but the only extant species is the Shoebill (Balaeniceps rex) of tropical east Africa. It is a tall, stork-like bird with a large, bulbous bill that gives the species its name. It feeds mostly on fish but will also take frogs, snakes and other small vertebrates.

  • Shoebill - Wakiso © Kevin Brown

  • Shoebill - Zambia © Roger Hammond

  • Shoebill - Wakiso © Karen Hargreave

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