Endemic to Tropical Central Tropical Africa, the Shoebill is a carnivore species inhabiting swamps, marshes habitats. Weighing 4–6 kg, it is classified as Vulnerable.
Physical Characteristics & Habitat
Size & Speed
| Metric | Shoebill | Carnivore Birds Median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 5 kg | 2.3 kg | ↑ 117% |
| Height | 125 cm | — | — |
| Top Speed | 15 km/h | 33.5 km/h | ↓ 55% |
| Avg Speed | 15 km/h | — | — |
Habitat & Distribution
The Shoebill inhabits swamps, marshes habitats. It can be found in Tropical Central Tropical Africa.
Typical coloring: Grayish-brown.
Diet & Predators
Behavior & Reproduction
Social Structure
The Shoebill is a solitary species belonging to the Balaenicipitidae family.
Reproduction
Conservation & Comparison
IUCN Conservation Status
VU The Shoebill is classified as Vulnerable. There are 34 species with the same status in our database.
Species Comparison
Among 13 carnivore birds, the Shoebill’s weight of 4–6 kg is significantly higher than the group median of 2.3 kg.
Weight rank: #25 of 34 Vulnerable species.
| # | Species | Weight | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sperm Whale | Up to 57000 kg | VU |
| 2 | African Elephant | 2700–6000 kg | VU |
| 3 | Great White Shark | Up to 2268 kg | VU |
| 4 | Hippopotamus | 1300–3200 kg | VU |
| 5 | Gaur | 600–1300 kg | VU |
Related Species
How much does a Shoebill weigh?
A Shoebill typically weighs 4–6 kg, which is exceptionally high compared to the median of 2.3 kg among carnivore birds.
What is the conservation status of the Shoebill?
The Shoebill is classified as “Vulnerable”. There are 34 species with the same status in our database.
Where does the Shoebill live?
The Shoebill is found in Tropical Central Tropical Africa, in swamps, marshes habitats.
How does the Shoebill reproduce?
The Shoebill has a gestation period of 30–35 days and typically produces 1-3 offspring per birth.
Data Sources: IUCN, WWF, National Geographic, Smithsonian Institution.
Last Updated: April 10, 2026