The Shoebill reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Apr-2004 (provided by Fixed Reference: snapshots of Wikipedia from wikipedia.org)

Shoebill

Shoebill
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Ciconiiformes Family: Balaenicipitidae

The Shoebill or Whalehead (Balaeniceps rex) is a very large bird related to the storks. It derives its name from its massive shoe-shaped bill.

The Shoebill is a large (60in) grey bird, although the juveniles are browner. It lives in tropical east Africa, especially Uganda. It nests ion the ground, laying 2 eggs.

Shoebills feed in muddy waters, preying on lungfish and similar fish.

The Shoebill makes up one of the families in the order Ciconiiformes, which also includes other wading bird groups:

Ciconiiformes

• Ardeidae herons and bitterns
• Cochlearidae: Boatbill
• Balaenicipitidae Shoebill
• Scopidae Hammerkop
• Ciconiidae: storks
• Threskiornithidae ibises and spoonbills
• Phoenicopteridae flamingos

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