Shoebill

Africa · wading birds · giant bill · swamp

Enormous shoe bill. The shoebill's bill is absolutely massive, shaped like a giant shoe, and can be up to 9.4 inches long. It uses this incredible bill to snap up huge prey like fish, lungfish, and even baby crocodiles from the muddy swamps.

Misclassified for years. Scientists used to think the shoebill was a type of stork because of its similar long legs and body shape. But DNA testing revealed it's actually more closely related to pelicans and herons, and its closest cousin is a weird bird called the hamerkop.

Swamp dweller. Shoebills live in enormous swamps across tropical East Africa, from South Sudan all the way down to Zambia. These remote, muddy wetlands are their perfect home for hunting and raising their young.

Grey and moody. Adult shoebills are mainly grey with darker feathers, giving them a serious, no-nonsense appearance. Young shoebills are browner and take a while to grow into their giant bills and long legs.

Incredibly tall. Shoebills are long-legged wading birds that stand very tall, allowing them to walk through deep swamp water and spot prey from far away. They're among the largest wading birds in the world.