Everyone Needs To Know This Bird
Just remember, it wants to be alone.
Update: While watching Secrets of the Zoo: Tampa, I discovered Tampa had three of five of the only Shoebills in the United States. They did manage to successfully breed a pair and hatched a chick in 2009. The only other successful hatching was in 2009 at Pairi Daiza, a zoo in Belgium. Baby (chick) steps.
I have a friend who loves all animals but is terrified by the shoebill. She’s had rats, dogs, snakes, scorpions, tarantulas, pigs, and other animals as pets, but the shoebill sends shivers down her spine. I can’t say I blame her, however, I do find the tuft of feathers on its head gives it a delightful Dr. Suess-like persona.
Shoebills look like the librarians of yore who would give you this same stare if you were whispering too loudly. Shut you right up.
Or the look from the Mafia Boss as you stand in front of his massive desk while you sweat and wring your fedora in your hands, as you try to think of what to say so you don’t end up tied and gagged in the trunk of a car heading to the East River.
Or even the look from your French teacher, her eyes radiating not only disapproval but disappointment when you peek up from your test and realize that she saw you cheating, and you want to shrink down and down in your chair while turning into the slug you…
