There are millions of species of animals and birds around the world. The size and characteristics of all animals are different. But do you know that there is a bird which is called stupid bird? Yes, you must have heard the word stupid for humans. But this bird is also called stupid. Know what is the reason that this bird is called stupid bird.
Stupid Bird
Let us tell you that Shoebill Stork is called the most dangerous bird in the world. But it is also called stupid bird. They are mainly found in East Africa, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Zambia. Due to their size, some people consider Shoebill to be from the stork or heron family, but they are not from that family. Pelicans are the closest family to Shoebill.
Why was it called Shoebill?
The reason behind this bird being called Shoebill is its beak. Its beak is about one foot long and looks like a Dutch clog. The beak of a Shoebill is about 5 inches wide and its edges are sharp. Apart from this, there is also a sharp hook at the tip, with the help of which Shoebill hunts animals like lungfish, eels and snakes. It even eats baby crocodiles and monitor lizards.
Apart from this, Shoebills can stand in one place for several hours without moving. According to scientists, this process is called ‘collapsing’ and this is what helps Shoebill in hunting. If they stand in water or marshy area without moving, then their prey does not get a clue of it. As soon as animals like fish or eel come to the surface of water for oxygen, the shoebill hunts them.
Their body is equal to that of humans
Shoebills can be 4 to 5 feet long. Their wings are blue-brown in colour and their wingspan is more than 8 feet. The weight of a male shoebill is between 12 (about 5.5 kg) pounds and that of a female is 11 pounds (4.9 kg). Shoebills can live for about 35 to 50 years.
Why is it called a stupid bird?
Now the question is why is the shoebill called a stupid bird? Actually the IQ of a shoebill is negative, that is why it is also called a ‘stupid bird’. The decision making ability of a shoebill is very poor. If some food is kept in front of this bird, it keeps thinking for hours whether to eat it or not. Another habit makes this bird different. When they see a human coming towards them, they start plucking their feathers. Although some scientists say that this is the Shoebill’s way of greeting. However, their number is decreasing rapidly. Now only 3,300 to 5,300 adult Shoebills are left in the world. In the black market, Shoebill is sold for up to 10000 dollars (8-10 lakh rupees).
