Shoebill

Description

The shoebill (Balaeniceps rex) also known as whalehead or shoe-billed stork,is a very large stork-like bird.It derives its name from its massive shoe-shaped bill.It has a somewhat stork-like overall form and has previously been classified in the order Ciconiiformes based on morphology.However,genetic evidence places it with the Pelecaniformes.The adult is mainly grey while the juveniles are browner.It lives in tropical east Africa in large swamps from Sudan to Zambia.