The Shoebill is a large and distinctive bird, characterised by his massive, shoe-shaped bill. Omce considered to be a Stork, he is now thought to be related to Pelicans and his closest relative is the Hammerkop. He stands motionless for lengthy periods of time, scanning the water for fish. Patient and generally slow-moving, he strikes quickly when prey is sighted. Given his large bill and wide gape, he is capable of taking quite considerably sized prey - including small mammals, lizards and waterbirds. He is found in parts of eastern, inland Africa, favouring water with low-oxygenated waters, in which the fish must surface to breathe.
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