Shoebill Wingspan
Shoebill Weight
Shoebill Height
How big are Shoebills compared to humans?
How big is a Shoebill’s beak?
How big an animal can a shoebill pick up?
Why Are Shoebills So Big?
Shoebill compared to other birds
common problem
Shoebill (Tyrannosaurus whale) is one of the most unique and extraordinary birds in the world. These strange Central African waders aren’t true storks at all, and in fact form their own family called the Balaenicipitidae.
They’re known for their huge beaks and size, but just how big are shoebills?
Shoebills can stand more than 4 feet tall and weigh nearly 15 pounds. Their impressive wingspan can stretch to over eight feet. These huge birds use their long toes and feet to scout for prey in shallow, reedy wetlands.
Shoebills have an undeniably intimidating appearance, although they pose no danger to humans.
In fact, according to the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature), the Shoebill is classified as a Vulnerable species. Due to several human factors, their numbers are declining and they only number in the thousands.
Would you like to know more about the size of the Shoebill? Read on for more interesting facts and how it compares to other large birds.
Shoebills are large, impressive birds found throughout Central Africa
Shoebill Wingspan
Shoebills have a wingspan of about 7½ to 8½ feet (2.3 – 2.6m). Males are heavier than females and may have slightly longer wings to match.
The shoebill leaps out of the water and lifts itself into the air with a powerful flap of its wings. Their large span and wide wings provide the lift needed for flight. Once in the air, their flapping speed slows down, but they soar comfortably.
Shoebill’s wingspan can reach a remarkable eight and a half feet (2.6m)
Shoebill Weight
Shoebills weigh about 15 pounds (7 kilograms). Males are larger and heavier than females, averaging over 12 lb (5.6 kg) versus 11 lb (4.9 kg) respectively.
Shoebill height
Most adult Shoebills have a standing height of 3.5 to 4.5 feet (1.1 to 1.4m), but some specimens have been reported to reach as high as 5 feet (1.52m).
Read on to learn how the amazing Shoebill compares to humans.
Some shoebills are said to grow up to five feet tall
How big are Shoebills compared to humans?
Shoebills can reach up to 5 feet (1.5 meters), the same height as an adult. Their impressive 8-foot (2.4m) wingspan is about the reach of the tallest NBA players, and their bills can fill a shoe size 6-8.
Of course, birds need to be light to fly, which would explain why such a large animal weighs less than a one-year-old baby.
How big is a Shoebill’s beak?
Shoebills have many distinguishing features, from their large, crested heads to their long legs and toes. Their beaks, however, are the most unusual.
The Shoebill’s beak is eight or nine inches (20 to 24 centimeters) long and four or five inches (10 to 12 centimeters) wide. They get their name from this oversized shoe-shaped beak, also known as the Shoebill.
In fact, their common name directly translates to “whale head”.
Shoebills have large beaks, usually eight or nine inches long and five centimeters wide
How big an animal can a shoebill pick up?
Shoebills can lift crocodiles. Well, very small crocodiles anyway! These birds typically prey on fish and other animals weighing up to a pound (450 grams).
They don’t need to lift heavy objects because they usually swallow their food whole. This limits the size of their prey, although their beaks do have sharp enough edges to cut some prey in half.
Why Are Shoebills So Big?
Shoebills are influenced by their environment, their prey, and other species that share their habitat. The diet of these predatory birds varies and includes catfish, water snakes, and even baby crocodiles. The Shoebill’s large size means it has few predators other than crocodiles and humans.
These blue-gray giants live, nest and hunt in freshwater wetlands from Sudan to Zambia. Having long legs is a major advantage when walking in these swampy environments. The long toes prevent them from sinking into the mud and stabilize their tall, heavy bodies when standing on swampy vegetation.
You might wonder why the Shoebill has such a large and unusual bill. Shoebills often swallow their prey whole and regurgitate the whole meal to their growing chicks, unlike raptors, which have smaller, more tearable beaks.
Their large beaks have sharp points and edges, perfect for grabbing slippery prey like lungfish and catfish. Their spongy beaks are also great for bringing water back to their chicks.
Shoebills have few predators, partly because of their large size
Shoebill compared to other birds
Shoebills are giant birds. In fact, few flying birds are as tall as them. Shoebills are very similar in size and weight to the highly endangered Whooping Crane (whooping crane) North America. Both species can reach a height of more than four and a half feet.
high
The tallest flying bird in the world is the Sarus Crane (Antigone) Asia and Australia. These graceful birds grow to more than five and a half feet (170 centimeters), just a few inches taller than a shoebill. Of course, none of these birds can rival the ostrich (ostrich), the tallest (and heaviest) bird in the world. These flightless behemoths from Africa reach heights of 9 feet (2.7 m)!
weight
Shoebills certainly don’t weigh as much as 15 pounds (6.8 kilograms). However, there are some flying birds that outshine them. Gray Heron Bustard (ginkgo) of Africa weigh a staggering 41 lb (19 kg), while closer to home, the trumpeter swan (Cygnus) can reach a weight of nearly 28 lbs (12.7 kg).
span
Shoebills are generally sedentary but move between feeding and nesting grounds. This is where their large, wide wings come in handy. With a wingspan of 8 feet (2.4 meters), the shoebill narrowly beats the largest golden eagle (Golden Eagle). However, they are no match for the incredible California Condor (California bare asbestos), measuring more than 9 feet (2.74 m) from wingtip to wingtip.
Closeup shot of a Shoebill with outstretched wings standing in a swamp
common problem
How big is a Shoebill?
Shoebills stand up to 60 inches tall and have a wingspan of over 100 inches. Their giant shoe-shaped bills are nearly 9 inches long and 5 inches wide.
Is the Shoebill the largest bird?
Shoebills are huge, but nowhere near the largest birds in the world. The award goes to a magnificent ostrich from the plains of Africa. Ostriches can weigh up to 340 pounds (156 kilograms), more than 20 times the weight of a shoebill.
Can Shoebills Fly?
Shoebills may not be the nimblest birds around, but they can certainly fly. They’ve been known to come out far from their usual haunts, meaning they can fly long distances if necessary.
Expert Q&A
ask a question
Do you have a question on this topic that we haven’t answered yet? Submit below and one of our experts will reply as soon as possible.
I am broadly interested in how human activities influence the ability of wildlife to persist in the modified environments that we create.
Specifically, my research investigates how the configuration and composition of landscapes influence the movement and population dynamics of forest birds. Both natural and human-derived fragmenting of habitat can influence where birds settle, how they access the resources they need to survive and reproduce, and these factors in turn affect population demographics. Most recently, I have been studying the ability of individuals to move through and utilize forested areas which have been modified through timber harvest as they seek out resources for the breeding and postfledging phases. As well I am working in collaboration with Parks Canada scientists to examine in the influence of high density moose populations on forest bird communities in Gros Morne National Park. Many of my projects are conducted in collaboration or consultation with representatives of industry and government agencies, seeking to improve the management and sustainability of natural resource extraction.
