Shoebill : Whalehead

Shoebill
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Ciconiiformes Family: Balaenicipitidae

Shoebill or Whalehead Balaeniceps rex is a very large bird related to the storks. It derives its name from its massive shoe-shaped bill.

The Shoebill is a large (60in) grey bird, although the juveniles are browner. It lives in tropical east Africa, especially Uganda. It nests ion the ground, laying 2 eggs.

Shoebills feed in muddy waters, preying on lungfish and similar fish.

The Shoebill makes up one of the families in the order Ciconiiformes, which also includes other wading bird groups:

Ciconiiformes

• Ardeidae herons and bitterns
• Cochlearidae: Boatbill
• Balaenicipitidae Shoebill
• Scopidae Hammerkop
• Ciconiidae: storks
• Threskiornithidae ibises and spoonbills
• Phoenicopteridae flamingos