Balaeniceps rex

(Gould, 1850)

Vernacular names
English : Shoebill
French : Bec-en-sabot du Nil

Classification
Class : Aves
Order : Pelecaniformes
Family : Balaenicipitidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Unmistakable species, reaching 1.20 m in size for a weight of 7 kg. Highly conspicuous and unique bill. Plumage mostly grey except from belly and thighs which are white. White edges on flight feathers. Small crest on back of head.

Range and habitat
This species occurs in Central-Eastern Africa, from South Sudan and south-west Ethiopia to north Zambia. Lives mostly in extensive marshes and lakesides with lots of vegetation.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : VULNERABLE
CITES : Appendix II
Status : The species is slowly but surely declining throughout its range because of habitat clearing for agriculture and disturbance by livestock.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation
Dallas World Aquarium (USA), Jurong Bird Park (Singapore), Weltvogelpark Walsrode (Germany), Tierpark Berlin (Germany), Zoo Prague (Czechia), Pairi Daiza (Belgium)

 

Back to “Hamerkop and Shoebill” page