Shoebill Stork watching in Uganda
Shoebill Stork watching in Uganda
Overview:
The shoebill stork (Balaeniceps rex) is a fascinating, prehistoric-looking bird that inhabits the freshwater swamps and marshes along the Nile in Uganda and throughout central and eastern tropical Africa. Known by various names, including the Whalebill and Shoe-billed stork, it derives its name from its enormous, shoe-shaped bill, which can measure up to 24 cm long and 20 cm wide. This distinctive bill is grotesque in appearance, featuring a yellowish hue with irregular dark spots and sharp edges ideal for catching prey.
Adult shoebills are primarily slaty blue-grey, while juveniles tend to be browner. Their striking appearance includes darker grey heads, black-tipped wings, and a subtle greenish tint. Additionally, they possess large eyes that may be yellowish or grayish-white.
Standing between 110 cm and 140 cm tall (43 to 55 inches), with some individuals reaching up to 152 cm (60 inches), shoebill storks are remarkably large, comparable to an average adult human. Their impressive wingspan ranges from 230 cm to 260 cm (7 ft 7 in to 8 ft 6 in), roughly the width of a compact car. This unique combination of size and unusual features makes the shoebill stork the largest and most visually striking bird in Uganda, captivating the attention of ornithologists and nature enthusiasts alike.
Shoebill watching in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is one of the birding destinations in Uganda where tourists are sure of seeing the rare Shoebill Stork. The sanctuary is located along Kampala Gulu highway in Nakasongola district, where it covers a total area of 70sq.km. Though Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is famous for rhino tracking, it is as well a habitat for birdlife especially the Shoebill Stork along the marshes of Lugogo swamp.
Shoebill watching in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Shoebill watching is one of the activities in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, however, you can spot other bird species in different parts of this gazetted area. The shoe bill is best seen using the canoe along Lugogo swamp while other bird species are seen during nature walks in different areas of the sanctuary.
Apart from the shoebill, other notable bird species include the African broadbill, black-headed heron, booted eagle, African hoopoe, common bulbul, blue-breasted kingfisher, grey heron, long-tailed cormorant, Namaqua dove, Senegal coucal, red-headed bluebill, wattled lapwing, white stork, variable sunbird, yellow fronted canary, scared ibis, white-headed barbet, and great blue turaco to mention but a few.
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is not the only place to see the shoebill stork in Uganda. There are other several places where this rare bird species can be seen and they include the Mabamba Swamp, Ishasha sector in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Semuliki National Park, Mabamba Bay Swamp, UWEC, and the Nile Delta in Murchison Falls National Park.
Mabamba wetland
Mabamba wetland in Entebbe is one of the best places to see shoebill storks in Uganda. Searching the shoebill in Mabamba is done in the morning and afternoon hours on local boats with guides. There are over 20 bird species living in the wetland but the shoebill is the most sought-after bird and the main reason as to why birders visit this area.
Mabamba wetland is the only place in Uganda where birders are sure of viewing the shoebill stork while on a safari in Uganda. Tourists who have just arrived in the country can start their safari from Mabamba to sight the shoebill before going to other birding areas. Shoebills at Mabamba wetland have high protection and the nearby people have been educated on how useful these birds are to the country. Fishermen rent their boats to the birders to search for the shoebill and in the end they get paid.
The Nile Delta
The Nile Delta in Murchison Falls National Park is one of the areas where birders can see the shoebill stork. Taking a boat cruise is the only way tourists can get to the Nile Delta in Murchison Falls National Park. On the way to and from the Nile Delta, birders get to spot so many water bird species and animals along the river banks.
Apart from the shoebill, birders get to spot birds such as the African fish eagle, goliath heron, Senegal thick-knee, long-toed lapwing, Denham’s bustard, giant kingfisher, spotted Verreaux’s eagle, Abyssinian ground hornbill, grey crowned crane, Pel’s fishing owl, white-bellied night heron, and long-toed plover to mention but a few.
Ishasha sector
Ishasha sector located in the southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park is another place to see the shoebill stork. The area is famous for the tree-climbing lions which you can’t find anywhere else in the country however it is also a good bird-watching destination within the park. You can spot the shoebill stork in Ishasha sector at the shores of Lake Edward which in the north of the area.
The Uganda Wildlife Education Centre Entebbe
There are a few shoebill species at the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre in Entebbe, keeping them for bird lovers who have little time in the country to spot them. They keep them in houses and fed from there which stops them from escaping. While in Entebbe, birders who have interest in looking at the shoebill can visit this Conservation Centre to see a few of them.
Semuliki national park
Semuliki national park is popular for bird-watching safaris on the western side part of Uganda. The area is a lowland tropical forest harboring 441 bird species among which include the shoebill stork. The shoebill stork in Semuliki National Park is watchable on a boat cruise around Lake Albert in the north of the park.
The best time to spot the shoebill in Uganda
You can best see the shoebill stork in Uganda during the dry season which happens from June to September and December to February. This is because there is little rainfall and plenty of sunshine which doesn’t affect the activity. The walking trails are dry and easier to walk through up to the shoebill spotting areas.
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