No One Thinks These Huge Birds Are Actually Real

Looming at over 4 feet tall, it's no surprise that people may think this otherworldly bird is nothing but a mechanical prop.




Deep in the tropical swamps of East Africa, you'll find these shoe-billed storks in their marshy homes, perched at the water's edge for hours waiting for the right time to snap down on their favorite fish.




They're eerily prehistoric — and despite their amiable expression, are even known to hunt young crocodiles and giant monitor lizards as a snack. They remain motionless for long periods each day, simply just being patient for prey to come along.




For the most part, shoebills are silent, only making noise when they clap their bills together rapidly to greet another bird or call out to their young.