Shoebill

The Shoebill, the only living species of the Balaenicipitidae family in the Pelecaniformes order, is an intriguing bird with a distinctive sharp hook at the tip of its upper beak, a furrow under the nasal openings, an ossified septum, and a vestigial or entirely absent expansor secundariorum muscle. Despite traditionally being associated with storks (Ciconiiformes), it is now more accurately aligned with pelicans and related species. Its nearest relative is the hamerkop, which is part of a different family. This unique family once included other genera like the possible Balaeniceps member Goliathia and the genus Paludiavis, which are both now extinct.

Species Categories

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