Shoebill, tall wading bird found in papyrus marshes of tropical NE Africa. Also known as the whale-headed stork, it has a swollen, shoe-shaped bill with a sharp hook, a short neck, darkish plumage and long legs. It feeds at night on small animals, including lungfish, frogs and turtles. Height: to 1.4m. Family Balaenicipitidae; species Balaeniceps rex. |
