What Is An Interesting Fact About The Shoebill Stork?

What Is An Interesting Fact About The Shoebill Stork? The Rare shoebill stork is a unique bird species that attracts many people to travel all over the parts of the world hence leading to the development of the tourism industry. Sighting seeing the rare shoebill stork is always on the top of the birders list and this bird species is usually spotted in areas like; the fresh swamps, dense forests which act as good natural habitats and it is spotted in tropical African countries like; Western Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda, Eastern Congo, Northern Zambia, South Sudan and many others. However, bird lovers can also be able to sight see the rare shoebill stork in other places like; the Northern Cameroon, in Malawi, Ethiopia and Botswana.  But among all these destinations, Uganda is seen as the best place to see the rare shoebill because it has a total number of about 1000 shoebills and they can be spotted in many places like; Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Semiliki wildlife reserve, Lake Mburi National park, Nabajuzi swamp which is found in Masaka, Queen Elizabeth National park within the Ishasha sector, Mabamba swamp and also can be seen in the Bigodi swamp which is situated near Kibale National park within the country.

The Rare shoebill stork is a unique bird species compared to the other bird species because of its foot-long bill, which resembles that of a dutch clog, which is five inches wide and has sharp edges with a sharp hook towards the end. More so, this this specialized bill is of a great importance whereby it helps the shoebill the catch its prey for example; tilapia fish, lung fish, snakes and the eels among others. More so, there are other interesting facts that tourists should know about the rare shoebill stork and some of these include;

Life Span of the Shoebill stork.

The rare shoebill stork is known to be living longer compared to the other bird species and it is noted that it has a life span of over 35 to 50 years.

Physical description.

The rare shoebill stork is seen to have long feet that make about 18cm and a height of about 4 to 5 feet while they are standing and it has about 5 kilograms whereby the female shoebill stork always weights about 6 kilograms. More so, it is also noted that the shoebill stork derived its name from its huge shoe-shaped beak or the bill, which is commonly referred to as the whale-healed, or it is sometimes called the whale-headed stork.

Diet of the shoebill stork.

The rare shoebill stork has a unique and nice trick, which they use while hunting their prey and skill is known as “Freeze and Seize”.  More so, the diet of the rare shoebill stork comprises of water mammal like; frogs, lung fish, mad fish, cat fish, baby crocodiles, snails, water snakes, eels, Nile monitors, snails, small waterfowl and many others.

The Gestation period.

The gestation period of the rare shoebill stork always goes for about 30 days whereby the female shoebill stork lays around one to three eggs and measure around 80 to 90 meters high and from 56 to 61 meters wide. More so, it lays eggs in nest, which measure from one to 1.7meters wide and be able to reach 3 meters deep. In addition, once the chick’s hutch, their parents always take the responsibility of taking care of them until around 105 days when they able to fledge and both the parents must work together to build the nests from the floating platform. Lastly, the most important thing to know about the young shoebill storks is that they are always sexually mature while they are at their age of 3 years.

Nature of movement.

The shoebill storks are always able to fly in the air with the use and help of their wide wings which stretch up to 2.5meters and while during their flight in the air, the shoebill storks always move with their heads backwards with an aim of staying longer in the sky and so being supported with their large wings which support them to keep their balance as they are able to move from one place to another.

More so, apart from the mentioned above, there are more fun facts that tourists should know about the rare shoebill stork for example; about their conservation area, the behaviours and mannerism of the stork, their physical description and the habitat of the shoebill stork.

Contact our trusted tour operators about the interesting facts about the rare shoebill stork and book with our tours and travel companies such as; Achieve Global safaris who offer the best tour packages while on your birding safaris in Uganda.