Shoebill stork

Schoenbekooievaar

Shoebill stork (Balaeniceps rex)

The Shoebill stork (Balaeniceps rex) is a from the family of stork (Balaenicipitidae).

Species name

Dutch name:
Schoenbekooievaar
English name:
Shoebill stork
German name:
Schuhschnabel
French name:
Bec-en-sabot du Nil
Scientific name:
Balaeniceps rex

Scientific classification

Order:
Pelecaniformes
Family:
Balaenicipitidae
Genus:
Balaeniceps

Description

Description:

Male and Female
The plumage of adult birds is blue-grey with darker slaty-grey flight feathers. The breast presents some elongated feathers, which have dark shafts.

Juvenile
The juvenile has a similar plumage colour, but is a darker grey with a brown tinge. When they are first born, shoebills have a more modestly-sized bill, which is initially silvery-grey. The bill becomes more noticeably large when the chicks are 23 days old and becomes well developed by 43 days.

Standard Measurements

Body Length (cm):
The male (drake) of the Shoebill stork measures approximately 110-140 centimeters. The female measures approximately 110-140 centimeters.
Body Weight (grams):
The male will weight about 5600 gram. The female will weight about 4900 gram.
The weight is notoriously variable and can only be used as indication!
Note:

The chick takes three to fours years to reach reproductive maturity.

In captivity, the shoebill has lived as long as thirty-six years and even up to fifty years according to one report. Its lifespan in the wild is unknown.

Breeding:
The female Shoebill stork usually lays from 1-3 bluish-white at first, but soon become flecked with brown eggs and incubates them for 29-31 days.

Recommended closed leg band ring size for the Shoebill stork is mm.
The leg band ring can only be applied on a young at around days old.

It doesn't matter what leg that you band, but it's good to have a consistent system.
Suggested: Left leg = Female, Right leg = Male
Regulation:
No information about regulation available

Photos of the Shoebill stork

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