As mentioned, the shoebill stork is not a stork. The classification was given due to the bird’s general form — but closer examination has refuted this claim. Interestingly, shoebills fall in the Pelecaniformes order along with pelicans and herons.

This was first determined in 1995 during a microscopic analysis performed on shoebill eggshells. Like other Pelecaniformes, its shells are covered in a protein membrane called microglobulin. In 2003, anatomical and biochemical examinations provided further evidence of shoebills being closely related to pelicans and herons.

Shoebills are grey-blue and tall, standing between about 43 and 60 inches. Their wingspans are expansive and ideal for soaring — sometimes stretching past 8 feet. Legs are long, with extended middle toes that help keep the bird upright while standing upon aquatic vegetation. Females are smaller than males, falling on the smaller end of the size spectrum.

Now, let’s talk about that bill!

The bird got its name for a reason; its beak clearly resembles a shoe. More specifically, those old-school clogs from Holland — do you see it? Another name that gets tossed around is whalehead, which derives from the bird’s genus name (Balaeniceps rex).

Shoebills rock a bill that is the third-longest found amongst extant birds. Even the circumference of a pelican’s bill can’t keep up with that of a shoebill. The upper mandible is prominently keeled with a sharp nail formed at the tip.

Chicks are not automatically graced with this exceptional feature, though. They are introduced to the world with modestly-sized, grey-colored bills. It’s not until young shoebills reach about 43 days of age that their beaks are well developed.