So, as with all wildlife species, it is advisable to keep your distance and do as little as possible to disturb their natural habitat if you encounter one in the wild. This isn’t to say it wouldn’t or couldn’t happen, in freak circumstances. No records exist of shoebills killing or attacking humans. These dinosaur-like waders are sometimes dubbed “Death Pelicans” – snakes up to 1 m (3.2 ft) in length pose no problem for a shoebill to catch and kill, and crocodiles of a similar size are also among their most common larger targets. They have strong, razor-sharp beaks that allow them to decapitate any prey they catch. Shoebills prey on crocodiles, especially juvenile ones. When visitors do not greet him with a bow, the bird moves away, and will not allow visitors to touch or approach him. When visitors greet Sushi with a bow, the greeting is returned, and visitors may even be able to touch him. Observed behavior at a wildfowl center in Uganda describes what happens when someone bows to their resident shoebill Sushi – and what happens when they don’t. Read on to find out more about these elusive, giant storklike birds and their deadly hunting methods, please do read on. Human hunting contributed significantly to the decline in numbers, and only between 5,000 and 10,000 birds remain in the wild. Shoebills are a vulnerable species with few natural predators. In fact, the opposite is more likely to be true. People are not at risk from shoebills, and there are no records of attacks on humans by these “prehistoric throwback” wading birds. Their powerful bills are used to catch and kill prey – usually fish from the wetlands on which they live – but they are also capable of successfully hunting larger mammals, reptiles and waterfowl. Shoebills are wading birds, native to specific regions of central Africa including Uganda, Zambia, Tanzania, and Sudan. However, their strong, wide beak enables them to target some rather sizable prey including crocodiles, lizards and even large antelopes. Keep reading as we investigate whether this is one species that really shouldn’t be judged on looks alone.ĭespite their somewhat sinister appearance, shoebills are generally calm, docile birds that do not pose a risk to humans. Known for their rather intimidating appearance, with dinosaur-like features and a strong, powerful beak, shoebill storks may look highly threatening, but does their behavior match their fearsome appearance? Are shoebills dangerous to humans?
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