shoebill

Definitions

Balaeniceps rex, a tall wading bird related to the stork, native to tropical African swamps; the sole species of the family Balaenicipitidae.

Equivalents

Examples

“The Shoebill is distinctive in many aspects of its biology, and is thus, we feel⟳, most appropriately placed in its own⟳ family, the Balaenicipitidae (L. Buxton et al. 1978, Kahl 1979a). The fact that we have⟳ included it in this book, while excluding the Hamerkop, indicates that we believe⟳ the Shoebill to be closer to the storks (Kahl 1967b, 1979c); however the jury remains out as to how close⟳.”

“Nevertheless, Birdlife International recently classified it as near-globally threatened, and it is classed as CITES Appendix 2, which means that trade⟳ in shoebills, or their capture⟳ for any harmful activity, is forbidden by international law.”

“The monstrous and awesome shoebill is possibly the most bizarre bird on the African continent.”

CEFR level