About the Shoebill
The shoebill, also known as the whale-headed stork, whalebill, and shoe-billed stork, is a large long-legged wading bird. It is named for its enormous, shoe-shaped bill. It has a somewhat stork-like overall form and was previously classified as a stork in the order Ciconiiformes, but genetic evidence places it with pelicans and herons in the Pelecaniformes. Adults are mainly grey, while juveniles are browner. It lives in tropical East Africa in large swamps from South Sudan to Zambia.
Source: Wikipedia
Taxonomy & Classification
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Pelecaniformes |
| Family | Shoebill (Balaenicipitidae) |
| Species | Balaeniceps rex |
| Species Codes | shoebi1, SHOE |
| Conservation | VU Vulnerable |
Frequently Asked Questions
What family does the Shoebill belong to?
The Shoebill (Balaeniceps rex) belongs to the Shoebill family (Balaenicipitidae), in the order Pelecaniformes.
What is the conservation status of the Shoebill?
The Shoebill is classified as "Vulnerable" (VU) by IUCN Red List.
How can I identify the Shoebill?
The shoebill, also known as the whale-headed stork, whalebill, and shoe-billed stork, is a large long-legged wading bird. It is named for its enormous, shoe-shaped bill. It has a somewhat stork-like overall form and was previously classified as a stork in the order Ciconiiformes, but genetic evidenc...
Where can I report a Shoebill sighting?
You can log sightings of Shoebill on eBird (ebird.org) using species code shoebi1, or on iNaturalist.
More Birds in Order Pelecaniformes
Quick Stats
Spotted a Shoebill?
Log your sighting on eBird or upload a photo to our AI Bird Identifier!