The Shoebill Stork in East Africa : The shoebill stork is one of the famous birds in East Africa and one of those that is sought after by most tourists who visit the East African region especially the pearl of Africa Uganda.
The Shoebill Stork’s scientific name is Balaeniceps rex from the Balaenicipitidae family and genus Balaeniceps.
The shoebill Storks measure between 110-140 cm (43-55 in) in length and weighs between 4-7 kg (8.8-15.4 lbs). It has a distinctive grey-blue plumage with a white belly with a unique shoe-shaped beak.
Shoebill Storks inhabit freshwater wetlands, including marshes, swamps, and shallow lakes. These areas are majorly found in East Africa, including Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Ethiopia. Shoebill Storks have a wide range but are typically found in areas with dense vegetation and shallow water.
In Uganda, the shoebill stork is found largely in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Bigodi Swamps among other habitats.
Shoebill Storks are carnivores and feed on a variety of prey, including fish, frogs, and small mammals. They are stealthy hunters and use their unique beak shape to catch prey.
These birds are typically solitary birds but may gather in small groups during breeding season. The shoebill Storks breed during the wet season, typically between March and May especially in East Africa. They build nests on the ground using vegetation and mud, laying 1-3 eggs per clutch, which are incubated for around 30 days. Shoebill Storks can live up to 50 years in the wild and slightly more in captivity.
Shoebill Storks are listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. They are threatened by habitat loss, disturbance, and degradation, as well as hunting and poaching. That’s why these birds are protected in several national parks and protected areas, including Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda. Several conservation organizations, such as the International Union for Conservation of Nature and the World Wildlife Fund, are working to protect Shoebill Storks and their habitats.
For the birds to survive they require freshwater wetlands, including marshes, swamps, and shallow lakes and dense vegetation, including papyrus, reeds, and grasses. The shallow waters so typically be less than 1 meter (3.3 feet) deep.
The shoebill Storks have a unique shoe-shaped beak that is perfectly adapted for catching fish and other aquatic prey. They have a distinctive call that sounds like a loud, booming “hoo-hoo-hoo”.
The Shoebill Stork population in East Africa is estimated to be around 5,000-10,000 individuals with Uganda having most of the population. The East African region has a variety of habitats, including freshwater wetlands, grasslands, and woodlands.
They are also threatened by habitat loss and degradation due to human activities such as agriculture, urbanization, and infrastructure development. Actually, the shoebill Storks are sensitive to disturbance and can be easily scared away by human presence.
Conservation efforts are focused on protecting and restoring Shoebill Stork habitats, including freshwater wetlands and grasslands. Scientists continue to conduct research and monitoring programs to better understand Shoebill Stork ecology and behavior.
Conservation organizations also continue working with local communities to promote the conservation of Shoebill Storks and their habitats through educational programs implemented to raise awareness about the importance of Shoebill Stork conservation.
You can visit Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania any time of the year to see the shoe bill stork in their habitats. For more information about the shoe bill stork you need to consult with your tour operator.
