About the shoebill

WILDLIFE

One of the most sought after birds by birders is the sluggish shoebill. Grey in color, motionless except when catching its prey, it stands more than 150 centimeters tall.

At first glance it is of no consequence save for the gigantic bill that earned it a name.

Arabs call it Abu Maruk (father of the shoe) as it lives a solitary life around lake shores and clocks more than 50 years of age.

"It is monogamous when it comes to marital relationships," says Uganda Bird Guides Association (UBGA) President, Herbert Byaruhanga. "It has one of the worst nests among birds. That is why they hatch their eggs in turns."

These gender balanced birds mate only in April and June.

"The eggs take 30 days," chips in a poacher transformed into a guide Ibrahim Kanusu in Mabamba Swamp. "Here we have about 10-15 of them. They feed their chicks jointly."

Stalked in Queen Elizabeth National Park or Murchison Falls National Park, these birds are seen, gracefully flying away. Others clatter their bills loudly in their imitation of a nest.

They can also be seen around Lakes Albert and Edward catching fish, birds and toads. They are also seen in Nabujuzi swamp in Masaka besides Semiliki National Park.

"There are days birders come, all the way from USA and China, and these grey huge birds are nowhere to be seen," laments Kanusu. "But they have seasons when they are all over the place!"