Aim to become Shoebill expert!
The "Shoebill Research Lab" is a fictional online research lab dedicated to observing and studying Shoebill. One of its goals is to increase the number of people who are dedicated to protecting the future of Shoebill.
Aim to become Shoebill expert through quizzes! You're sure to make new discoveries by observing them in person. Be sure to try observing them at Ueno Zoo!
Research topic: Let's learn the basics of Shoebill
Research topic: Let's learn the basics of Shoebill
Q1. What are you going to eat?
①Fish
② Grass
③ Fruit.
The correct answer is ① Fish.
Shoebill primarily feed on fish such as lungfish and catfish. They may also eat aquatic snakes and frogs.
At Ueno Zoo, they feed Shoebill live carp. While opportunities to see them eating are rare, try waiting patiently and observing them, just like Shoebill do.
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Q2. Why don't they move around much?
① Because I'm sleepy
② To catch fish
③ Because it makes it harder for the enemy to spot you.
The correct answer is ② To catch fish.
Shoebill wait patiently by the water's edge for fish to come near. By remaining still, they make it harder for fish to notice them.
Let's see how long it stays still by stopping our own movements and observing!
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Q3. Which bird species does Shoebill belong to?
① Cranes
② Flamingo relatives
③ Pelican relatives
The correct answer is ③ a type of pelican.
When Shoebill comes near the water's surface, it quickly catches it with its broad, large beak. The tip of the beak is curved and sharply pointed, allowing it to firmly grip the fish.
Let's compare how Great White Pelican and Shoebill at Tama Zoo eat fish!
Just like Shoebill, let's observe the beaks of African Penguin, which eats fish. The tip of its upper beak is also curved and pointed, so try waiting for the moment the penguin opens its mouth.
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Q4. Where do you live?
①Forest
②Wetland
③Coast
The correct answer is ② Wetland.
Shoebill live in swamps and rivers with abundant aquatic plants in east-central Africa, preferring areas with many tall plants. Compared to open areas, these locations likely attract more fish and also allow them to hide from predators.
Where can you find Shoebill? Let's observe some common habitats. In reality, they are often found on land rather than in the water. They can also be seen standing in high places, such as on top of bushes.
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Q5. Which one is Shoebill 's foot?
The correct answers are: ① Shoebill, ② Emu, ③ Flamingo.
They have long legs that make it easy to walk in water and through tall grass. Additionally, their four toes are very long, which prevents them from sinking easily when walking on aquatic plants or mud.
Let's observe the feet of other birds as well!
② is Emu 's foot. Emu can run at high speeds using their long, sturdy feet. The backward-facing toes have atrophied because they would get in the way when running, resulting in three toes.
③ shows a flamingo's foot. Like Shoebill, flamingos have long feet that make it easy for them to walk in shallow water, but they also have webbed feet and can swim in deeper water.
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summary
Did you learn about Shoebill? Please come and observe them in person at Ueno Zoo!
If you observe something and wonder "why?", be sure to investigate it. The more you learn, the more interesting it will become!
In the next "Researcher Course," you will focus on the life of Shoebill and learn more about Shoebill in depth.
The "Researcher" course is scheduled to begin around July 2026. Please look forward to it!
Research topic: Let's investigate the life of Shoebill in more detail!
Research topic: Let's investigate the life of Shoebill in more detail!
*Scheduled for release around July 2026. Stay tuned!
Research topic: Let's learn about the current situation of Shoebill and think about what we can do to protect them!
Research topic: Let's learn about the current situation of Shoebill and think about what we can do to protect them!
*Scheduled for release around November 2026. Please wait.