The fearsome African bird kills its brothers and even hunts crocodiles

The shoebill stork, found in East Africa, is known for its fearsome appearance and reputation as a “crocodile eater.” Find out more about this exotic bird!

The Shoe-billed Stork’s bill is enormous (the third largest bird in the world) and can measure up to 1.5 meters high!

Its name, in fact, derives from the shape of its beak, which resembles that of an old shoe.

These birds are common in marshy areas and feed mainly on fish, such as catfish.

However, they can also hunt larger prey such as eels, snakes and even baby crocodiles, as reported in the Journal of African Ornithology.

Unlike other birds that live in flocks, the shoebill stork maintains a solitary lifestyle.

Each clutch can contain up to three eggs, but it is common for only one chick to survive to adulthood, due to intense competition between siblings.

The first born will often fight the younger ones for food and may even kill them to ensure they are the only ones getting food.

A BBC documentary even showed how older puppies bite smaller ones, who end up being neglected by their mother.

In addition to being large and having a peculiar appearance, this bird also makes a sound that some describe as similar to that of a machine gun.

The shoebill stork is a predator that, depending on its size, can swallow its prey whole.

This patient bird stalks its prey in swamps and shallow lakes, remaining motionless for long periods until the moment is right to strike with deadly precision.

This bird is the only species of the genus Balaeniceps and the family Balaenicipipitidae. According to Live Science, their closest relatives are pelicans.

The order Pelecaniformes, to which the shoe-billed stork belongs, emerged at the end of the Cretaceous, between 145 and 66 million years ago.

This bird can reach a wingspan of up to 2.3 meters. They can also naturally live up to 30 years.

They are currently classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

It is estimated that there are between 5,000 and 8,000 shoe-billed stork birds left in the wild.

Even so, shoe-billed storks are still an important part of the African ecosystem and play a vital role in controlling fish and frog populations.

Experts stress that it is important to protect these magnificent birds and their habitats to ensure their survival for future generations.