Introducing the Shoebill Storks!

Only a few zoos in the world have shoebills, so the Houston Zoo's addition of this young pair of big African birds is a significant achievement for our bird department. Named after their prominent shoe-shaped bills, shoebills are a vulnerable bird species whose feathers turn completely gray as they mature. Their large heads, eyes, and bills help them find food in muddy swamps. Shoebills can grow as tall as five feet, boast a nearly eight-foot wingspan, and weigh up to fifteen pounds. Despite their large size, relatively little is known about their habits in the wild. While some taxonomists consider them to be in the stork family, many others believe the birds are more closely related to pelicans.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• Houston
• Zoo
• animals
• birds
• shoebill stork
• big bird
• gray
• feathers
• bill

[r0akesson]

Thumbs up if The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword brought you here.

[snackattack8]

What are those Loftwings doing on the surface!? They've never been known to fly below the clouds!!

[Pwiddu]

Stop talking about loftwings and enjoy the real bird! D:

[fireinthetacobell]

Oh my God.... so awesome. They look so gentle and inquisitive too. <3

[LinkDrums823]

The Ballad of the Goddess should be playing on the background.

[annyworld37]

Very interesting animals...

[Blueysky1]

They look like Loftwings..

[NezianBelcyder]

onya BUCKBEAK 

[TheTriforceBlade]

OMG! YOU'RE FALLING! QUICKLY PRESS DOWN TO CALL YOUR LOFTWING!!!!

[Voidjanrulerserus]

ITS A LOFTWING! I WANT A RED ONE.

[gothicgrl606]

i had to gess this picture of this bird and i could nt find the name of it anywhere!!!

[97Milo9TV]

Hey its a Loftwing!