: a large gray wading bird (Balaeniceps rex) related to the storks and herons that inhabits wetlands of eastern Africa and has a thick broad bill
Examples of shoebill in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Why is the shoebill considered 'vulnerable?' Africa's population of shoebills were last evaluated by the International Union for Conservation of Nature in 2018.
—
Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 13 Nov. 2025
Its specialized bill allows the shoebill to grab large prey, including lungfish, tilapia, eels, and snakes.
—National Geographic, 26 June 2020
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 13 Nov. 2025
Its specialized bill allows the shoebill to grab large prey, including lungfish, tilapia, eels, and snakes.
—National Geographic, 26 June 2020
Cite this Entry
“Shoebill.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shoebill. Accessed 5 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share