They have also been sighted in a number of nearby locations within Africa, but the vast majority of the population lives in central Africa. They can be found in the southern portions of Sudan, the eastern Congo, Uganda, Rwanda, western Tanzania, and the northern portions of Zambia. These birds are found exclusively in the tropical area of central Africa. They are occasionally spotted in flooded agricultural plantations and rice fields. Virtually every wetland that this species can be found in has papyrus, typha, and phragmites plants. They live in swamps with mixed papyrus plants and other vegetation. They are successful at hunting in aquatic environments, and most often live in freshwater swamps and marshes. This species has a relatively restricted range and habitat. They will also prey on crocodiles! Well, baby crocodiles (they’re big, but not that big!). After a While, Crocodile – When we say these birds are impressive predators, we mean it! They are carnivorous, and have been known to feed on lungfish, eels, snakes, frogs, rats, and lizards. The blood circulating through that area is cooled by their poop, and reduces their overall body temperature. One effective cooling method these birds employ is defecating on their own feet and legs. Cool Excrement – No we don’t mean they have cool looking poop, we mean their feces is literally cool! Under the hot African sun, these birds will do just about anything to cool off.So still, in fact, that prey doesn’t even realize they’re there! When a tasty frog or eel swims by, the shoebill lunges forward and snaps its sharp bill around its meal. They can stand incredibly still for long periods of time. Patient Predator – These birds utilize those long legs while hunting by wading into the waters of marshes and ponds.While they naturally draw attention because of their unusual appearance, there are a number of fun facts that many people don’t know about these interesting birds! Shoebills inhabit swampy regions in and around the White Nile area of northeastern Africa.These predators are surprisingly fierce and vicious while dispatching prey. They nest on either floating vegetation or solid mounds and lay one to three white eggs, which hatch in about 30 days. Like herons and pelicans, shoebills fly with the head held back against the body. The shoebill claps the mandibles of its bill together as a display, producing a loud, hollow sound. The head is large in proportion to the body, and the eyes are also exceptionally large. They are entirely gray, with broad wings and long legs. Shoebills stand about 115 cm (3.8 feet) tall. This big bird also eats turtles, fish, and young crocodiles. The species is named for its clog-shaped bill, which is an adaptation for catching and holding the large, slippery lungfish, its favourite food. Shoebill, ( Balaeniceps rex), also called shoe-billed stork or whale-headed stork, large African wading bird, a single species that constitutes the family Balaenicipitidae (order Balaenicipitiformes, Ciconiiformes, or Pelecaniformes). SpaceNext50 Britannica presents SpaceNext50, From the race to the Moon to space stewardship, we explore a wide range of subjects that feed our curiosity about space!.Learn about the major environmental problems facing our planet and what can be done about them! Saving Earth Britannica Presents Earth’s To-Do List for the 21st Century.100 Women Britannica celebrates the centennial of the Nineteenth Amendment, highlighting suffragists and history-making politicians.COVID-19 Portal While this global health crisis continues to evolve, it can be useful to look to past pandemics to better understand how to respond today.Student Portal Britannica is the ultimate student resource for key school subjects like history, government, literature, and more.This Time in History In these videos, find out what happened this month (or any month!) in history.#WTFact Videos In #WTFact Britannica shares some of the most bizarre facts we can find.Demystified Videos In Demystified, Britannica has all the answers to your burning questions.Britannica Classics Check out these retro videos from Encyclopedia Britannica’s archives.Britannica Explains In these videos, Britannica explains a variety of topics and answers frequently asked questions.
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