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Shoebill

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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

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