Balaenicipitidae

Template:Short description Template:Automatic taxobox Balaenicipitidae is a family of birds in the order Pelecaniformes, although it was traditionally placed in Ciconiiformes. The shoebill is the sole extant species and its closest relative is the hamerkop (Scopus umbretta), which belongs to another family. Species from the Ciconiiformes and Balaenicipitidae family have been found in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and parts of East Africa.

It has the following genera:

• Balaeniceps<ref name="fossilworks">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
• †Goliathia (might belong in Balaeniceps)<ref name="fossilworks" />
• †Paludiavis<ref name="fossilworks" />

Common characteristics

• A sharp hooked tip to the upper beak<ref name=":0">Template:Cite journal</ref>
• A furrow in the upper beak below the nasal openings<ref name=":0" />
• An ossified septum<ref name=":0" />
• Vestigial or absent expansor secundariorum muscle<ref name=":0" />

References

Template:ReflistKasoma, P. M. B., & Pomeroy, D. E. (1987). The Status and Ecology of Storks and the Shoebill in East Africa. Colonial Waterbirds, 10(2), 221–228. https://doi.org/10.2307/1521261Template:Taxonbar

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