Shoebills & birding Uganda safari

While on Shoebills & birding Uganda safari you will get to know more about the shoebills. Shoebill storks are endangered giant birds whose natural habitats are swamp areas making them a species of swamp endemics. The birds get their name from the size and shape of their large shoe-shaped beaks that measure up to 30 centimeters in length and 12 centimeters wide with a sharp cutting curling beak up front which contributes to its adaptation to its feeding habits and prey in the swamp areas. Shoebills grow up to a great height of 5 feet/ 1 meter and more making them greatly outstand of all other bird species. Believed to be ancestors of the great ancient dinosaurs, shoebills take up a replica of some ancient dinosaur species in a smaller size making them a beast of a bird worth seeking for adventure.

Shoebills & birding Uganda safari packages

Shoebill facts, behavior & birding Uganda safari

Shoebills have a tough look on their face which they use to scare off any potential attackers, usually standing still like a statue position and gazing eyes open in one direction.
Shoebills are usually humble birds given their posture while in the swamps as they can stand still for hours to avoid their prey from sensing their presence so as they can catch them.
Shoebill communicate by hitting/ clapping their beaks against each other very fast.
To put off heat, shoebills spread their wings wide or open their beaks wide and expose their tongues and the nerves underneath to the outside cool environment.
Young shoebills are fond to be playful and usually seen playing and flying over their older parents.
Shoebills often fly away with their wide wings if they feel threatened or uncomfortable.
They strike fast while taking up food and they don’t usually miss their calculated target.

What do shoebills eat?

Shoebills feed on amphibious/ aquatic species and this backs up their love to stay in swamp areas. Favorite of their prey are the lung fish, mud fish, cat fish, tilapia fish and sometimes young crocodiles. Shoebills have a strong and sharp edged beak that can easily through the flesh of any fish and also young crocodiles making the beast’s menu wide for survival in the swampy and riverine areas.

Where to find shoebills?

These birds are found in the East African swamps of Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda with the highest and easy chances of sightings in the swamps of Uganda on the shores of the Lake Victoria in the Mabamba swamps, along the river Nile at the Murchison falls national game park, Queen Elizabeth national park, swamps of Zziwa rhino and wildlife sanctuary. On confirming your desire for this adventure, a wildlife birding session to mabamba swamp, walking safari at Zziwa rhino or boat cruise on river Nile to the Murchison falls in Uganda will easily get you to get closer to these magnificent birds. Sightings in Uganda are easier because the country has a lot more swamps than its neighbors.

Why are shoebills endangered species?

Having fish species as their top delicacy and diet, shoebills got in direct competition with fishermen in swamps, rivers and lake shores. Fishermen used to hunt them and chase them away from the habitat to maximize on their daily catch which threatened the shoebills’ population. Sensitization programs backed by up tourism have been put up on the protecting the birds from extinction and this has seen the shoebill have some relief in their habitat.

Do shoebills lay eggs/ reproduce?

Shoebills reproduce by laying eggs like any other bird and also as dinosaurs in the past in nests made among the swamp papyrus and after hatching the mother hunts and brings food to the chicks until they are of age. While still young, shoebills have blue eyes and they turn gray when they are old. Shoebill mothers are protective to their chicks from any danger that may threaten their lives.

Wildebeest migration experience on Africa vacation

Luxury & affordable gorilla trekking safari

Africa's Big 5 & wilderness game drives

Chimpanzee tracking, golden monkeys & birding experiences

Source of the River Nile experience & Murchison water falls

Shoebills & birding Uganda safari