The Giant Shoe Bill

Have you ever heard of Shoe bill before? If not or if u knew little about it here is an opportunity to get an insight of what this large bird is.

Shoe bills are quiet large water bird that derives its name from the shoe Shaped bill/ Bic. With the adult ones being grey and the juveniles being browner in color. They live in in tropical east Africa in big swamps/wetlands in the countries of Uganda, Rwanda, south Sudan, Zambia, Democratic republic of Congo and Ethiopia and. Theirs numbers are significantly reducing attributed to that fact that most of their breeding grounds are being encroached hence leading to disturbance on their breeding.

Shoe bills largely feeds on small crocodiles, frogs, lung fish and other mud fish that live in swampy areas.

Distribution of the population.

Shoe bill’s total population is estimated to be from 5000 to 8000 individuals and the sum estimates is up to 10000 with the mature population estimate ranging 3,300-5,300. And in regard to the trend, there is no doubt that the species is slowly declining hence rising the fear and suspicion of being an endangered species.

Threats and dangers.

The birds are also under threat because they are being hunted for food and other traditional reasons, destruction of their habitats, transformation of their habitats for agricultural practices and cattle grazing areas hence leading the destruction of their eggs, trading of the birds for both consumption and eggs.  

Conservation strategy.

The shoe bill under different organization being conserved and kept in the different area such as zoos, game parks many others.

For any visitor traveler interested in getting to see this majestic birds, you can organize a safari to Uganda in Murchison falls national park, lake Mburo national park and queen Elizabeth national park. The ones headed for safaris to Rwanda will probably catch this birds in Akagera national park.