Uganda is a home to over 1075 bird species recorded, but at paramount we organize tours to one of the exciting adventure where you have to encounter something unique, the shoebill, endemic to Africa, the shoebill is one of the hot cakes to taste in Africa with your own eyes, the trip to Mabamba avails you with the opportunity to meet the prehistoric shoebill whose name is derived from the shape of her beak, Uganda is home to a variety of birds and wildlife- Gorillas, chimpanzees, tree climbing lions, monkeys of different kinds, leopards, impalas, the crested crane and so many more. The rare and elusive shoebill is one of the birding sights in Uganda.
The shoebill or shoe billed stork or whale head is large bird mostly found in the lakes in the eastern part of Africa. It is most easily found in Uganda. But can also be seen in Kenya, the Central African Republic, northern Cameroon, south-western Ethiopia, Malawi, Botswana and the upper Congo River. This is one of the most sought-after birds in Africa and is quite the sight if you manage to see it on your Uganda safari.
What is so interesting about the shoebill?
There are a few interesting facts about this bird that make it an interesting species worth seeing on safari.
The Shoebill Stork has outstanding prehistoric looks. It has a massive shoe shaped bill. It’s usually about 150cm tall and can weigh up to 14 pounds. The Arabs used to call the Shoebill Stork – “Abu Maruk” meaning father of the shoe – one could call the Shoebill Stork a flying shoe because of the unique bill.
The shoebill is a solitary bird with has a lifespan of about 50 or more years.
It interestingly forms monogamous relationships during the mating season which falls between April and June. The parent birds make a nest on the ground, and the female usually lays two eggs. Both parents participate in the incubation period which lasts a month. The new chicks are fed by the parent birds for several months until they are old enough to forage for their own food.
What do shoebills feed on?
The shoebills are found lake or swamp so they find their food in the water. Their main diet is lungfish, which can be supplemented. The Shoebill stork, a swamp specialist, survives on a diet of mainly of lung fish which supplemented by frogs, puddle fish, the occasional baby crocodile and water snakes. All of this is possible because of the sharp edges of the wide bill. food
A few behavioural facts…
Shoebill storks are solitary breeders and have territories measuring approximately 3 square kilometres. In the breeding season, these birds are very territorial and will defend the nest against any predators or competitors. Breeding time varies depending on location, but usually coincides with the start of the dry season. The reproductive cycle from nest building to fledging spans a period of 6 to 7 months. An area with a 3-meter diameter is trampled and cleared r the nest. The nest is located on either a small island or on a mass of floating vegetation. Nesting material, such as grass, is weaved on the ground, forming a large structure of about 1 meter in diameter. One to three, normally two, flaky whitish eggs are laid. However, by the end of the breeding cycle usually only one chick remains due to predation or food availability. The incubation period is about 30 days. After hatching, adult shoebill storks must feed the chicks regurgitated food at least 1 to 3 times per day and up to 5 to 6 times per day as the chick grows older. Parents hold out to the chicks, which must feed themselves.
shoebill storks breed once yearly.
- Range eggs per season
1 to 3
- Average time to hatching
30 days
- Average fledging age
95 days
- Average time to independence
Shoebill storks are and are never found in groups. Only when food is in short supply will shoebill storks forage near each other. Often, the male and female of a breeding pair will forage on opposite sides of their territory. Adults use gular-fluttering in order to keep cool.
Shoebill storks are non-migratory as long as good foraging conditions exist. However, in some areas of their range, they will make seasonal movements between nesting and feeding zones. Shoebill storks soar on thermals and are often seen soaring above their territory during the day. In flight, the neck is retracted. Shoebill storks are very docile with humans. Researchers studying these birds have been able to come within 6 feet of a shoebill stork on its nest. The shoebill stork will not threaten humans, but will only stare right back at them.
- Key Behaviours
- terricolous
- flies
- diurnal
- motile
- sedentary
- solitary
- territorial
Communication and Perception
Shoebill storks are usually silent, but will often participate in bill-clattering, a behaviour characteristic of true storks. Adults will often do this when greeting each other at the nest, but young shoebills also perform the bill-clatter. Adults will also make a whining or “mooing” noise and young will make a hiccupping noise especially when begging for food.
The principal senses used during hunting are vision and hearing. In order to facilitate binocular vision, shoebill storks hold their heads and bills vertically downward against the breast.
Where can you find shoebills in Uganda?
Whereas Mabamba is regarded as the best Shoebill watching hotspot in Uganda, this bird can also be seen in other places such as; Ziwa rhino sanctuary swamp though the chances cannot be compared with Mabamba wetlands, In the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth Park along the Lake Edward Flats, in Murchison Falls national Park at the delta where the Nile merges with Lake Albert, Lake Mburo National Park, Lake Kyoga, Semulik Wildlife reserve, and in the Nabajuzi Swamp in Masaka
The total population of shoebill storks in Uganda today is about 1000 birds. The main enemies to this bird are humans, such as the fishermen who have superstitions about their presence on the lake. And the human activities which has led to destruction of habitat.
As you plan your Uganda adventure, don’t forget to consider encountering the prehistoric scary looking harmless bird,
