Shoebill stock in Uganda
Shoebill stock in Uganda is one of the most sought bird species by travelers who love bird watching safari tours. Uganda is one of Africa’s top birding destinations with unique birds in different tourist attractions. As you plan to experience Uganda’s s primates including Gorillas and Chimpanzees and probably the wildlife, bird watching is yet another big centre of attraction of because of its habitant of the most sought bird species in Africa, that is the Shoebill stock. It’s called the most sought bird because of its unique features and rare nature as it stays in specific places in wetlands, and swamp areas mainly around the Eastern parts of Africa. Apart from Uganda, the shoebill stock bird can also be spotted in about 6 other countries including; Kenya, South western Ethiopia, Central African Republic, Malawi, Northern Cameroon, Botswana and upper Congo River.
The shoebill bill stock bird has some interesting facts about it that makes it an interesting bird species to see while on a Uganda Safari. It has an outstanding ancient look with a massive shoe like shaped dirty yellow bill that resembles an old battered shoe hence the name shoebill. It usually stands at about 150cm tall and weighs up to about 14 pounds. It’s an interesting bird in that the Arabs call it “Abu Maruk” which simply means “Father of the shoe”. The shoebill stock bird is extinct with about 1000 of them left in Uganda thus they are highly endangered. This is because they are usually killed by fishermen who believe that they are a bad omen.
The shoebill stock is a lonely bird with about 50 year’s lifespan and it is only has exclusive relationships. It has a breeding period between the months of April and June. The female and male birds, who are actually parents, make a nest on the ground where the female bird lays two eggs and during incubation period, both the parent birds participate for about one month when the eggs hatch. The mother bird then feeds the 2 chicks for about 1 to 2 months until they are old enough to feed themselves or get their own food.
The shoebill stock bird which is also called the whale-headed stock is only found in water logged areas like lakes, swamps and wetlands so they feed on food in the water some of them including frogs, lung fish, lizards, water snakes, and baby Crocodiles occasional. All of this is possible because of the sharp edges of the wide bill and even though they do not have webbed feet, they are able stealthily to catch their prey in the water.
What to know about Shoebill stock in Uganda
- Shoebill stock birds tend to be nocturnal even though they are primarily water birds.
- They are silent birds however they can perform bill banging displays at their nests.
- When they are on flight, they have wide wing span that enable them fly beautifully in the air and their heads and necks retract.
- They are inactive on the ground but very elegant in the air.
- They pull back their wings when they attack their prey and approach it in a demonstrating kind of way to show their strength.
- They are very patient hunters and they act like statues because they can stand in one position for quite a long time.
- The male shoebill stock is heavier than a female one weighing upto 7kg
Where to find the shoebill stock
Shoebill stock can only be found in specific places in Uganda. The Mabamba swamp is recognized as the best place to see the shoebill stock. Mabamba swamp is an island located on Lake Victoria close to Entebbe and can only be reached by taking a boat or canoe to the island where you will navigate waterways consisting of lily pads and papyrus swamp. Apart from the shoebill stock bird, there are about 260 other bird species found including the papyrus yellow warbler, pallid harrier and blue swallow. Other places Murchison falls national park at the delta where the Nile merges with Lake Albert, Lake Mburo national park, Semiliki national park, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Nabajuzi swamp in Masaka, Lake Kyoga and Ishasha sector in Queen Elizabeth national park along Lake Edward flats. These places are quite magnificent and worthwhile to visit in the mentioned places above.
When is the best time to see the shoebill stock?
The shoebill stock is best sighted in the morning and evening hours of the day though they can be spotted at any time of the day. They are best viewed at Mabamba swamp as they rarely leave the swamp. During the wet season, they are densely populated and can be seen in several wetlands of the above-mentioned destinations. Though seasons change in Uganda, the dry season are in the months of January, February, March, June, July, August, and December while the wet seasons are in the months of March, April, May, September, October, and November. Given the fact that wetlands do not dry up even in the dry seasons, the shoe bill stock can be seen at any time of the year in Uganda.
Therefore while planning your Uganda Safari, ensure you include the beautiful bird species call the shoebill stock for an incredible birding experience as you cannot easily see it in most African countries except Uganda.
