Learn More About The Shoebill: Arguably The Scariest Bird

We're officially in spooky season, and we've covered a few different kinds of cute, cuddly, and funny animals. Everything under the sun, from adorable tiny bats to puppers with pumpkins, to animals in super cool Halloween costumes. But sometimes we also enjoy covering the creepy cute, and the weird, such as sphynx cats that look like angry old men, or doggos sitting in weird creepy poses. In this case, we have an animal to share today that is well… a little bit scary.

According to Ranker, "If you're looking for a modern-day dinosaur, then the elusive shoebill stork might be the closest you'll get. The shoebill bird is native to the marshes of East Africa. It's a masterful hunter and endangered species, but it's also a frightening creature to the inhabitants of the lands it occupies."

Posted by Ellie Dunn

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"They routinely reach nearly 5 feet in height, and their wings can stretch to more than 7 feet in width. Their sharp beaks are also unnaturally large for their bodies, measuring 8 to 12 inches long and 4 to 5 inches wide. These birds tower over children and can even stare some adult humans in the eye. They can stand for hours on end without blinking their golden eyes, so their resting face might seem like a "death stare" if it's at your eye level." Via Ranker

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"When meeting a potential mate, shoebills clatter their bills to create a sound similar to a machine gun firing. It has also been compared to a hippopotamus mating call. This terrifying call is created by vibrating their throats and clapping their upper and lower bills together. It's rare to hear these birds make any sounds at all, but when they do, it's best to keep your distance." Via Ranker

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