This study provides useful information for effective conservation management, by showing the importance of catfish as prey for Bangweulu Shoebills, the possible increased prey capture during the breeding season, and indicating the importance of the two habitat types: floating vegetation and flooded grassland (capture rates 0.10 and 0.29 prey h−1, respectively). Despite small sample sizes (n = 17.7 h during the breeding season), we found an indication that the proportion of successful strikes was higher during the breeding season (five of seven strikes successful) compared to non-breeding (16 of 70 strikes successful). were the most common prey caught (71% of prey in 170.1 h observed). They caught on average one prey every 8.3 h and catfish Clarias spp.

Shoebills spent 85% of their time engaged in low-energy activities, mainly by standing still and preening. Behaviours associated with foraging were standing, walking and flying. In this study we quantified and explored Shoebill foraging behaviour across habitat types and seasons through behavioural observations in the Bangweulu Wetlands, Zambia. Populations are believed to be declining throughout their range and knowledge about their ecology, behaviour and distribution is vital for their effective conservation.

Shoebills (Balaeniceps rex) are endemic to large, well-vegetated wetlands in central-eastern Africa. While adopting an aviary strategy for housing all ‘flying’ birds may result in a reduction in the number of species at a zoo, and could affect both institutional and regional collection plans, we believe it is a necessary step in order to provide the optimal conditions for the care and well-being of the birds that are already in zoological institutions. By lowering the barriers in the way of building appropriate aviaries, it is hoped that this type of housing will become the option of choice in future master plans. Zoos may be able to avoid expensive mistakes and optimize their possibilities by sharing information on aspects such as costs, visitor viewing, suitable materials and design features. This information-sharing resource is in development and will be a tool for exchanging knowledge and experiences in designing and constructing aviaries, and selecting the best aviary for the species in question and for the geographic location. The development of the Aviary Database Project is explained. Reasons for holding birds in aviaries, including education and visitor experience, breeding, behaviour, predation, veterinary issues, avoidance of invasive species and hybridization, welfare and enrichment, and reductions in costs, are discussed.

There is a trend in zoos to provide more naturalistic enclosures for animals in which they can carry out natural behaviours and, for most birds, an aviary presents the best opportunities to achieve this.

Pelican Husbandry Manual