Feb. 16, 2026Updated Feb. 17, 2026, 4:23 p.m. ET
Since last November, when a prehistoric-looking shoebill landed on a tour boat in Uganda and appeared to dwarf observers, the birds have remained prominently in the spotlight.
We’ve featured shoebill behaviors and mentioned their striking appearance as stealthy swamp hunters, which utilize their powerful bills to incapacitate prey as large as baby crocodiles.
Last week, the shoebill’s hunting prowess was on display yet again, this time versus a Nile monitor lizard at Mabamba Swamp on Lake Victoria.
The accompanying footage, captured by One More Adventure Safaris and shared by Wyld_Lyf, shows the tense moments before the confrontation and the dinosaur-like shoebill’s precision strike to seemingly control the outcome.
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From Wyld_Lyf: “At Mabamba Swamp, where Shoebills breed among thick papyrus channels, these prehistoric-looking birds fiercely defend their nesting grounds. Shoebills are highly territorial, especially during breeding season, and will confront intruders including large reptiles like monitor lizards to protect eggs or chicks.”
The footage is posted below or can be viewed via this link: