# To Bill a Mogging Bird (DD-354)

> The shoebill (Balaeniceps rex) is a large, stork-like wading bird of central and eastern African swamps, in countries including Uganda, Zambia, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is named for its huge, shoe-shaped bill, which the Reel puts at up to about 9.4 inches (24 cm). Shoebills stand very still before lunging at prey such as lungfish. The footage shows shoebills staring at the camera.

- Department: Nature
- First published: 2024-10-26
- Last updated: 2024-10-26
- Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/to-bill-a-mogging-bird/
- Author: Marcus Easterling (DetailEnjoyer), The Detail Department

## Quick facts

- **DD-354-F01**: Balaeniceps rex. _(Write-up · Exhibit A (Species))_
- **DD-354-F02**: Central and eastern African swamps. _(Write-up · Exhibit B (Range))_

## Write-up

The shoebill's bill can be nearly 24 centimeters long. It hunts lungfish in African swamps.

1. **Species**: Balaeniceps rex.
2. **Range**: Central and eastern African swamps.
3. **Bill**: Shoe-shaped and huge.
4. **Prey**: Lungfish.
5. **Hunting**: Stands still, then lunges.

## Reel vs. record

- **Note**: None needed.

## Video: To Bill a Mogging Bird: The Shoebill's Bill Can Be Nearly 24 Centimeters Long

- Duration: 16.5 s · Published: 2024-10-26
- File: https://detailenjoyer.com/assets/videos/DBmPFpvJZSZ.mp4

### Transcript

Did you know, shoe bills are large, wading birds native to the swamps and wetlands of Central Africa, particularly in countries like Zambia, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. They are easily recognized by their strikingly large shoe-shaped bills, which can measure up to 9.4 inches long. NOW YOU KNOW!

## Questions & answers

**Q: Where do shoebills live?**  
A: Wetlands. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Species) · Wikipedia: Shoebill)_

**Q: What is the bill shaped like?**  
A: Name. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Range) · Wikipedia: Shoebill)_

**Q: What do they eat?**  
A: Fish. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Bill) · Wikipedia: Shoebill)_

**Q: How do they hunt?**  
A: Patience. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Prey) · Wikipedia: Shoebill)_

**Q: About how long can the bill be?**  
A: Huge. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Hunting) · Wikipedia: Shoebill)_

## Sources

- [Wikipedia: Shoebill](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoebill)

## Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "To Bill a Mogging Bird." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-354, last updated Oct 26, 2024. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/to-bill-a-mogging-bird/