Discover an exotic bird that survived the Second World War and is related to dinosaurs

The shoebill stork is native to the African continent (Photo: Pixabay)

Prehistoric and frightening appearance: this is the appearance of the Shoe-billed Stork (Balaeniceps rex), an animal native to the African continent. It has the third largest beak among bird species in the world, is related to dinosaurs and has survived extreme episodes, such as the Second World War. Currently, however, it is on the verge of extinction.

Continues after advertising

Join NSC Total’s exclusive community of columnists

According to information from the newspaper O Globo, the stork can grow up to 1.5 meters in height and its main prey is catfish, but it also feeds on eels, snakes and baby crocodiles. These animals are monogamous and usually live solitary.

Wineries create Brazil’s first winery under the sea in SC

A curiosity about the species is that it is capable of producing up to three eggs per clutch, but as there is rivalry between the siblings, it is common for only one to survive and reach adulthood. Generally, fights occur over food and the firstborn, being stronger, ends up hurting the younger ones.

Continues after advertising

In addition to its exotic appearance, according to Globo, the bird emits a sound that many compare to that of a machine gun. Another fact that draws attention is that, before swallowing its prey completely, the stork manages to remain still.

See photos of the stork

Storks can grow up to 1.5 meters in height and their main prey is catfish (Photo: Pixabay)

It also feeds on eels, snakes and baby crocodiles (Photo: Pixabay)

Before swallowing its prey, the stork can remain completely still. (Photo: Pixabay)

The bird emits a sound that many compare to that of a machine gun. (Photo: Koba Virtual Zoo, Reproduction)

Currently, the species is endangered (Photo: Instagram, Matrópoles, Reproduction)

To go backAdvance

The shoebill stork is popularly considered a “living relative” of dinosaurs. According to the Adventures in History portalthey were lucky to survive the great extinction since, as Darwinian theory argues, they managed to adapt enough to be alive today.

Balaeniceps rex also survived World War II. Quoting the article from History CollectionAventuras na História highlights that Balaeniceps rex was one of the species that lived in the famous Berlin Zoo, a region that was constantly bombed during the conflict, mainly between 1943 and 1945.

Continues after advertising

A year before the end of the war, the site was hit on at least seven occasions. When the Red Army invaded Berlin, what little was left of the place was completely destroyed. Among the survivors was she, a Shoehead Stork, saved by a caretaker who kept her alive.

Despite having gone through several historical episodes, there are currently 5,000 to 8,000 birds of the species remaining and it appears as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List.