Critically Endangered Shoebill in Uganda — places to see the shoebill

Critically Endangered Shoebill in Uganda – Places where you can see the shoebill in Uganda include Mbamba swamp, at the delta in Murchison falls, Tangi gate in Murchison, Zziwa rhino sanctuary, Semiliki wildlife reserve, Edward flats in Ishasha, lake Mburo on a boat safari, Lwela swamps, Masaka Swamps near National water, Masindi, Luwero, and Lake Bisina

Critically endangered shoebill in Uganda – Shoebill is one of the spectacular bird species which looks grey in colour and its size is like of a Pelican which has a bill that resembles that of a shoe shape like bill. It can be found in swampy areas of Uganda where it can get what to eat as it feeds on fish, frogs and earthworms .A Shoebill has a pale grey eyes, with a flat hooked bill to catch fish.

It can be found in birding sites of Mabamba swamp in Wakiso district near Entebbe Airport, other places where birders can get a chance of viewing the Shoebill are; Murchison Falls National Park at the delta point, Lake Mburo National Park boat safaris, sometimes on the way to Lake Mburo National Park, Edward flats in Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park on a lucky day,lake albert shores near toro-semuliki national park, ziwa rhino sanctuary.

A Shoebill calls like a donkey brays when it is near the nest and most of the time it may be silent.

To see the Shoebill it needs a birder to go with a boat looking for it in the swamps of Lake Victoria and sometimes a birder can have a chance to see the rare Blue swallow during its time of visit as it is a Palearctic migrant from Europe. The Blue swallow likes perching on the electric wires on the way going to the swamp.

Best time to see a Shoebill

The critically endangered Shoebill can be seen throughout the day but there are more chances of viewing it in the morning hours and also in the evening hours when it’s hunting for food. A Shoe bill is best seen on a boat but it can also be seen on game drives in National Parks.

Other bird species that can be seen while looking for the Shoebill

Carruthers cisticola, Black crake, Common squacco heron, Purple heron, African jacana, Goliath heron , Yellow billed stork, White faced whistling duck ,Pied king fisher, Common bulbul ,Hottentot Teal ,Saddle billed stork, Winding cisticola, Swamp flycatcher , Red chested sun bird ,Fan tailed widow bird, Scaly francolin, Cape wagtail, Senegal lapwing, Grey headed gull , Madagascar and blue breasted bee eaters ,White winged terns , African skimmers, can be also be seen. The rare and endangered blue swallow is also known from Mabamba wetland around Lake Victoria.