Shoebillハシビロコウ

Balaeniceps rexVU— Vulnerable

The shoebill is a giant, stork-like wading bird found in the freshwater swamps of central tropical Africa, most notably the Sudd wetlands of South Sudan. Named for its enormous, boot-shaped bill, it hunts primarily lungfish and other large fish, often standing motionless for hours while waiting for prey to surface. Classified as Vulnerable due to habitat loss and disturbance, it is thought to number only 5,000 to 8,000 individuals in the wild.

Shoebill (reference photo)
Photo: zeroexposure (Flickr) / CC BY 2.0 / Source / cropped

Species Data

Classification
Pelecaniformes / Balaenicipitidae Source
Distribution
Found across central tropical Africa from South Sudan to Zambia, with its stronghold in the Sudd wetlands of South Sudan. Source

Did You Know?

  • On hot days, shoebills fill their huge bill with water and pour it over the nest to cool the eggs. Source
  • Shoebills have become internet meme sensations since 2014 due to their intimidating appearance. Source

Where to See This Species

6 facilities · 0 individuals

東京都恩賜上野動物園 (Toukyoutoonshiueno Doubutsuen)TokyoOpened in 1882

「西園の鳥たち」エリアで展示。ズーストック種の対象動物。 Source

那須どうぶつ王国 (Nasudoubutsuoukoku)Tochigi東北新幹線「那須塩原駅」から車で約50分（無料シャトルバスあり・要Web予約前日17時まで）。

「ウェットランド」で飼育・展示。 Source

神戸どうぶつ王国 (Koubedoubutsuoukoku)Hyogoポートライナー「計算科学センター駅（神戸どうぶつ王国・「富岳」前）」下車すぐ。

2025年6月30日公開の「サカラ」（オス）・「クラル」（メス）を「ハシビロコウ生態園Bigbill」で展示。 Source

高知県立のいち動物公園 (Kouchi Kenritsu Noichi Doubutsu Kouen)Kochi土佐くろしお鉄道ごめん・なはり線「のいち駅」から徒歩20分またはレンタサイクル13分。

アフリカ・オーストラリアゾーンで「ささ」（オス）・「カシシ」（メス）の2羽を展示。 Source

伊豆シャボテン動物公園 (Izushaboten Doubutsu Kouen)ShizuokaOpened in 1959

伊豆シャボテン動物公園のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

千葉市動物公園 (Chibashi Doubutsu Kouen)ChibaOpened in 1985

千葉市動物公園のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

Latest news

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Conservation Story

Conservation Status

IUCNレッドリストでは危急種（VU）に指定され、ワシントン条約附属書IIにも掲載されている。1997年の調査では推定1万2,000〜1万5,000羽とされ、その後も減少傾向にあるとみられる。

Habitat

アフリカ東部から中部の淡水湿地・沼地。南スーダンのスッド湿地帯が最大の生息地

Threats

  • 農地開発や湿地開発による生息地の消失
  • 水質汚染
  • 巣の破壊や狩猟、違法な生体取引

Conservation & Breeding Efforts

  • ワシントン条約附属書IIによる国際取引の規制
  • 南スーダンのスッド湿地帯など主要生息地での保護区設定・モニタリング

Sources

ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org

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FAQ

Why is the shoebill called that?
It is named for its huge, boot- or shoe-shaped bill, which can measure up to 24 cm long. Source
How does the shoebill hunt?
It stands motionless for hours in shallow water, waiting for lungfish and other large fish to surface before striking. Source
Is the shoebill endangered?
It is classified as Vulnerable, with an estimated 5,000-8,000 individuals remaining, threatened by habitat loss and disturbance. Source

Source: www.tokyo-zoo.net nasu-oukoku.com www.kobe-oukoku.com noichizoo.or.jp www.iucnredlist.org