shoebill stork

Introduction

The Shoebill stork (Balaeniceps rex) is a unique and enigmatic bird species native to the wetlands of East-Central Africa. Known for its distinctive large bill, the Shoebill has intrigued researchers due to its peculiar morphology, behavior, and uncertain phylogenetic placement. This synthesis aims to consolidate key insights from various research papers on the Shoebill stork, focusing on its phylogenetic significance, conservation status, foraging behavior, and challenges in captivity.

Key Insights

Phylogenetic Significance and Biochemical Traits
- The Shoebill stork contains a unique bile acid, 16alpha-hydroxychenodeoxycholic acid, which is also found in certain herons, suggesting a close phylogenetic relationship between these birds .
Conservation Status and Distribution
- The Shoebill stork is highly specialized and requires specific wetland habitats that are increasingly threatened by ecological degradation. Its survival is at risk, necessitating international conservation efforts.
- Aerial censuses in Zambia estimated a population of 232 Shoebills in the Bangweulu Swamps, highlighting the need for further population monitoring and conservation measures.
Captive Management and Breeding Challenges
- The Shoebill stork has proven difficult to breed in captivity, with very few successful hatchings recorded. Improved veterinary care and management practices are needed to enhance captive breeding success .
Foraging Behavior
- The Shoebill stork preys on fish in shallow waters, using floating vegetation as fishing platforms. It employs a unique foraging technique called "collapsing" to capture prey, which is distinct from the methods used by herons and storks.

Conclusion

The Shoebill stork is a remarkable species with unique biochemical traits linking it to herons, yet it faces significant conservation challenges due to habitat degradation. Its specialized foraging behavior and difficulties in captive breeding further complicate efforts to ensure its survival. Concerted conservation actions and improved captive management practices are essential to protect this vulnerable species.

Try another search

The role of artificial intelligence in predicting and managing natural disasters.

What is the Satellite technology in environmental monitoring?

Apple cider vinegar

Can chiropractors cause strokes

What are the health benefits of community and social engagement?

How do we apply philosophical insights to contemporary issues in science and society?

Summary

Introduction

Key Insights

Conclusion

Sources and full results

A novel primary bile acid in the Shoebill stork and herons and its phylogenetic significance.

The Shoebill stork and certain herons have a novel primary bile acid, suggesting they are closely related.

Distribution and conservation of the shoebill (Balaeniceps rex) in the southern Sudan

The survival of the shoebill stork in southern Sudan is threatened by habitat degradation and requires international recognition and conservation attention.

COVER STORY: The Shoebill Stork

Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo successfully hatched a rare African Shoebill Stork chick, marking the first successful breeding in North America for this species, which is listed as vulnerable by the IUCN.

AERIAL CENSUSES OF SHOEBILLS, SADDLEBILLED STORKS AND WATTLED CRANES AT THE BANGWEULU SWAMPS AND KAFUE FLATS, ZAMBIA

Aerial counts in Zambia suggest a minimum population of 232 Shoebills, 275 Saddlebilled Storks, and 1718 Wattled Cranes in Bangweulu Swamps and 3282 in Kafue Flats.

ASPECTS OF THE FORAGING BEHAVIOUR OF THE SHOEBILL

The Shoebill forages for fish in shallow water using floating vegetation platforms, a technique called "collapsing" that is similar to herons and storks.

Veterinary care of shoebills (Balaeniceps rex) in European zoos with special emphasis on the Zurich Zoo

This study presents physiologic data and medications for shoebills in European zoos, aiming to improve their captive management and contribute to their successful breeding in captivity.

The effect of human interference on the nesting of the openbill stork Anastomus oscitans at the raiganj wildlife sanctuary, India

Human interference significantly hinders the nesting success of the openbill stork at the Raiganj Wildlife Sanctuary, leading to birds nesting in undisturbed areas and changing their preferred tree species and nesting height.

Phylogeny of the avian family Ciconiidae (storks) based on cytochrome b sequences and DNA-DNA hybridization distances.

The stork family Ciconiidae is best characterized by a combination of DNA-DNA hybridization and cytochrome b sequence data, with nodes defining recent relationships having strong support.

The whalebill is a stork

The whalebill and storks form a monophyletic assemblage, with the whalebill sharing evolutionary affinity with storks through the morphology of the stapes.

An Overview of the Storks of the World

The stork family (Ciconiidae) includes 17-19 species, mainly in the Old World Tropics, with three distinct subtribes: wood stork/openbill, typical stork, and giant stork.

Try another search