The Shoebill, Balaeniceps rex, also known as Whalehead, is a very large bird related to the storks. It derives its name from its massive shoe-shaped bill. The Shoebill is a very large bird, averaging 1.2 metres (4 ft) tall, 5.6 kilograms (12.3 lbs) and a 2.33 metres (7.7 ft) wingspan. The adult is mainly grey while the juveniles are browner. It lives in tropical east Africa in large swamps from Sudan to Zambia. This species was only discovered in the 19th century when some skins were brought to Europe. It was not until years later that live specimens reached the scientific community. However, the bird was known to both ancient Egyptians and Arabs. There are Egyptian images depicting the Shoebill, while the Arabs referred to the bird as abu markub, which means one with a shoe, a reference to the bird's distinctive bill. Shoebills feed in muddy waters, preying on lungfish and similar fish. They nest on the ground and lay 2 eggs. The population is estimated at between 5,000 and 8,000 individuals, the majority of which live in Sudan. BirdLife International have classified it as Vulnerable with the main threats being habitat destruction, disturbance and hunting. The Shoebill is one of the bird taxa whose taxonomic treatment is murky. Traditionally allied with the storks (Ciconiiformes), it was retained there in the Sibley-Ahlquist taxonomy which lumped a massive number of unrelated taxa into their "Ciconiiformes". More recently, the shoebill has been considered to be closer to the pelicans (based on anatomical comparisons; Mayr, 2003) or the herons (based on biochemical evidence; Hagey et al., 2002). The fossil record does not shed much light on the issue, as usual when dealing with birds. So far, two fossil relatives of the shoebill have been described: Goliathia from the early Oligocene of Egypt and Paludavis from the Early Miocene of the same country. It has been suggested that the enigmatic African fossil bird Eremopezus was a relative too, but the evidence for that is very spurious indeed. All that is known of Eremopezus is that it was a very large, probably flightless bird with a flexible foot, allowing it to handle either vegetation or prey. Hammerkop: The Hammerkop (Scopus umbretta), also known as Hamerkop, Hammerhead, Hammerhead stork, or Anvilhead, is a medium-sized (56 cm) bird with a long shaggy crest. The shape of its head with a curved bill and crest at the back is reminiscent of a hammer, hence its name. Its plumage is a drab brown all over. Head closeup Head closeup It occurs in Africa south of the Sahara, Madagascar and southwest Arabia in all wetland habitats, including rice paddies. Normally it is seen alone or as a pair. The food is typical of long-legged wading birds, including fish, frogs, rodents and similar small animals. It builds a huge haystack-like stick nest nearly 2 m across in a tree fork, and lays 3 to 6 eggs. The nest is reused each year, getting larger and larger as the Hammerkop renovates it. The entrance to the nest remains at the bottom, to deter potential predators. The Hammerkop has a noisy call. The Hamerkop is usually included in the Ciconiiformes, but might be closer to the Pelecaniformes[citation needed]. It constitutes a family (Scopidae) and genus (Scopus) all on its own because of its unique characteristics.

Sulawesi Tarictic Hornbill The Sulawesi Hornbill, Penelopides exarhatus also known as Temminck's Hornbill, Sulawesi Tarictic Hornbill or Sulawesi Dwarf Hornbill is a medium-sized, approximately 53cm long, black hornbill with a large, yellowish bill. The male has a yellow face and throat, and a reddish casque on top of bill. The female has all black plumage with a darker and smaller bill. An Indonesian endemic, the Sulawesi Hornbill is distributed in the tropical lowland, swamps and primary forests of Sulawesi, from sea-level to altitude up to 1,100 metres. There are two subspecies of the Sulawesi Hornbill. The nominate form, P. e. exarhatus occurs in north Sulawesi. The second subspecies, P. e. sanfordi is found in central, east and south Sulawesi, Buton and Muna Island. As with other hornbills, the Sulawesi Hornbill is believed to be a monogamous species. The diet consists mainly of fruits, figs and insects. The female seals itself inside a tree hole for egg-laying. During this time, the male will provide food for the female and the young.

Bali Starlings or Bali Mynas Birds: Bali Mynah Range: Only found in the northwestern tip of the island of Bali, part of Indonesia Habitat: Open woodland, savannas, and forested valleys. Beautiful and mysterious The Bali mynah is a beautiful snow white bird with black feathers at the tips of its wings and striking sky blue patches of skin around its eyes. Its beauty is probably why this bird's likeness is used in much of the cultural art found on the island of Bali in Indonesia. The Bali mynah, also called the Bali starling, is found in one small region of Bali, an island that is smaller than the size of Rhode Island. Not a lot of research has been done on wild Bali mynahs. What we do know comes mostly from studying the mynahs in zoos. During the 1960s and 1970s, several hundred birds were legally brought to the United States and Europe to both zoos and private collectors. These birds and their descendants make up the approximately 1,000 birds that live in managed care. Family life Bali mynahs live in the holes of trees and line their nests with leaves, stems of dried plants, and feathers. In zoos, their nests are home to the several clutches of eggs they may have each year. In the wild, they seem to breed between November and April, which is the rainy season for Bali. The entire population of Bali mynahs usually gathers in the 740-acre (300-hectare) section of Bali Barat National Park to pair up and breed. They may produce two to three clutches during this time with two to three eggs per clutch. The eggs are bluish green, and both the mother and father incubate the eggs. Both parents feed the chicks and take turns carrying food back to the nest in their beaks. Bali mynahs eat insects and fruit. Insects seem to be most plentiful in Bali during the rainy season. Perhaps this is why the mynahs have their breeding season at that time. Why are Bali mynahs in trouble? Even though they are only found in a small part of the world, at a quick glance it seems like the Bali mynahs have everything they need to flourish: a good supply of food, lots of chicks, and a national park in which to live. So what is the problem? One simple word: humans. In 1978 there were 550 Bali mynahs in the wild; there may be just 24 birds living in the wild right now-that's not very many! The beauty of the birds has attracted people in the cage-bird trade. In Denpasar, Bali's capital, there is a thriving bird market. Thousands of different bird species are crammed into cages and sold for maybe one or two dollars each. Because of the rarity of the Bali mynah, the bird markets can charge higher prices for these birds. Having a Bali mynah in a private collection is considered a status symbol, so poachers are encouraged to continue to capture these endangered birds for the pet trade. Another reason for the Bali mynah's decline is people moving into the bird's habitat. The booming tourist industry in Bali has caused the human population to triple in the past 70 years, and a large camp for coconut plantation workers was established in the national park. Mynahs need your help! Much effort has been made to help the Bali mynah's wild population recover. The Bali Starling Project has made efforts to help guard the Bali Barat National Park where the birds live from illegal trapping and has released captive-bred birds there to help the tiny population grow. You can help discourage poachers by never purchasing a pet that has come from the wild. Many exotic species might seem like a fun idea for a pet, but in reality they are not what you expected. They can be very hard to care for and could even be illegal to own in your state!