We love the Shoebill
They has the same goofy charm as the long-lost dodo and everyone is getting more intrigued by them.
7 shoebill facts
- The Shoebill Stork was discovered by European scientists in the immense marshy areas of Africa in 1850, although DNA evidence shows that they date back nearly 160 million years.
- Although they are solitary animals, shoebills bow and clatter to each other to attract mates or communicate.
- Despite their sinister appearance they are generally calm, docile birds and are not harmful to humans.
- They can stand motionless for hours.
- They can reach up to five feet tall with an eight-foot wingspan.
- Their average lifespan is around 35 years in the wild, and in captivity they can live up to 50 years.
- It’s foot-long bill resembles a Dutch clog and allows it to grab large prey including snakes, monitor lizard’s lungfish and eels.
Exmoor Zoo
A shoebill called ‘Abu’ has been on a breeding program at Exmoor Zoo. There are only 8 adults (including her mum and dad) plus Abu in the European breeding program.
Here is a link to more find out more info about Abu and other Shoebills.