This mysterious bird is native to the wetlands of East Africa. The Shoebill is a large wading bird with a unique bill resembling a shoe. It is a solitary bird that is rarely seen, but when it is, it is an impressive sight. The Shoebill
The shoebill, also known as the whale-headed stork, whalebill, and shoe-billed stork, is a large long-legged wading bird. It is named for its enormous, shoe-shaped bill. It has a somewhat stork-like overall form and was previously classified as a stork in the order Ciconiiformes, but genetic evidence has now placed it along with pelicans, herons, and its closest relative, the hamerkop, all in the order Pelecaniformes. Adults are mainly grey, while juveniles are browner. It lives in tropical East Africa in large swamps from South Sudan down to Zambia.