This large waterbird is unmistakable due to its unique 'shoe-shaped' bill which gives it an almost prehistoric appearance-reminding us of birds' dinosaur ancestry. Found in nine countries across Africa, the species has a large range, but exist in small localised populations concentrate around swamps and wetlands. Individuals are highly solitary-often the male and female in a breeding pair prefer to occupy different ends of their shared territory. The nest is large and flattened, built amid swamp grasses or sedges and usually on a mound of floating vegetation or a small island. The construction can be up to three metres wide. Although a clutch of up to three dull, chalky-white eggs is laid, typically only one nestling survives due to enter-siblings rivalry, where the larger (generally first born) chick will out-compete and/or kill its siblings. The breeding season varies, being dependent on Africa's seasonal flood cycle. The shoebill is undergoing a continuing decline owingto the effects of habital destruction and degradation, pollution, nest disturbance, hunting a capture for the live bird trade. The global population is currently estimated at between 5,000-8,000 birds and the species is classedas vulnerable by the IUCNred list of threatened species. This species inhabits wetland habitats, preferring large, seasonally flooded marshes with dense vegetation and areas of floating vegetation often formed by papyrus. They are highly solitary and they forage by 'walking slowly' or standing. Large fish such as lungfish are their preferred prey item, but it will feed on a variety of aquatic animals including amphibians, water snakes, young crocodiles, as well as rodents and waterfowl chicks. Adopted from: http://wws.edgeofexistence.org/species/shoebill/ (5th December 2018) How can people easily identify this animal?

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This large waterbird is unmistakable due to its unique 'shoe-shaped' bill which gives it an almost prehistoric appearance-reminding us of birds' dinosaur ancestry.

Found in nine countries across Africa, the species has a large range, but exist in small localised populations concentrate around swamps and wetlands. Individuals are highly solitary-often the male and female in a breeding pair prefer to occupy different ends of their shared territory.

The nest is large and flattened, built amid swamp grasses or sedges and usually on a mound of floating vegetation or a small island. The construction can be up to three metres wide. Although a clutch of up to three dull, chalky-white eggs is laid, typically only one nestling survives due to enter-siblings rivalry, where the larger (generally first born) chick will out-compete and/or kill its siblings. The breeding season varies, being dependent on Africa's seasonal flood cycle.

The shoebill is undergoing a continuing decline owing to the effects of habital destruction and degradation, pollution, nest disturbance, hunting a capture for the live bird trade. The global population is currently estimated at between 5,000-8,000 birds and the species is classed as vulnerable by the IUCN red list of threatened species.

This species inhabits wetland habitats, preferring large, seasonally flooded marshes with dense vegetation and areas of floating vegetation often formed by papyrus. They are highly solitary and they forage by 'walking slowly' or standing. Large fish such as lungfish are their preferred prey item, but it will feed on a variety of aquatic animals including amphibians, water snakes, young crocodiles, as well as rodents and waterfowl chicks.

Adopted from: http://wws.edgeofexistence.org/species/shoebill/ (5th December 2018)

How can people easily identify this animal?

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