Shoebill

Image: Wikimedia

I've long been a fan of the Shoebill. They just look so... dangerous. I'm a huge fan of dangerous things that can't hurt me in any way. In fact, that's my favourite kind of dangerous!

Shoebill's quite clearly get their name from the massive, shoe shaped beak sticking out of their face. The thing is huge and incredibly menacing! Long, broad and deep, with a nasty hook at the end so you really get the point. It reaches about 10 cm (4 in) across and 23 cm (9 in) long. Some say it's more like 30 cm (12 in), which would be very pleasing since that'd be a foot!

I'm sure you've figured out that the Shoebill ain't one for salad. They prey on fish, frogs, rodents and, as if investing for the future, reptiles like baby crocodiles. This occurs in the east African swamps and marshes they call home. They are particularly fond of the ones with papyrus.

Houston Zoo

The Shoebill is clearly a wading bird, and with a height of up to 150 centimetres (59 in) and wingspan as much as 260 centimetres (100 in), it's a big one. But they are so unique that there has long been dispute over where exactly it fits in the family tree. Maybe it's more like a stork, perhaps it's more pelican. Maybe it's somehow related to the Hamerkop, another wading bird with strange characteristics. Sure, throw all the weirdos together, that's what I do :P

Image: Wikimedia
Enthusiasm

There are a few other things that fascinate me about the Shoebill. One that I just noticed is that their grey feathers make them look like a statue. Another is that look in their eyes. Sometimes they seem malevolent, sometimes incredibly grumpy, other times they look bright and enthusiastic.

Finally...

Image: Wikipedia

there's that nerdy hairstyle!

Image: Wikimedia

I love this picture! Monsters rule, front and off-centre!