The Most Terrifying Bird In The World?

“Clamping down on its prey, the bird will start to swing its massive head back and forth, tipping out whatever stuff it doesn’t want to eat. When there’s nothing but lungfish or crocodile left, the shoebill will give it a quick decapitation with the sharp edges of the bill.”
[Audubon Society]

The shoebill lives in the wetlands of central Africa and grows up to 5 feet tall, has a wingspan of up to 9 feet, and is known to devour snakes, eels, monitor lizards, and baby crocodiles. It’s kinda big and scary, but it’s docile around humans, making it easy prey for poachers. It was the Audubonnies who called the shoebill stork “the most terrifying bird in the world” because it can stare you to death.

[Images and story from here. Bottom image found here, h/t Pam M.]

Update: Corrine L. notified me that when a spoonbill comes up to greet you there’s screaming and gunfire.

Update 2:

Nothing Much Happened Today.

[Found here.]

A Starlings.

Fractals come into play with this murmuration.

[Found here.]

Pelicans Trying to Eat Other Animals

[All images found here, via Mme. Jujujive.]

[Update: Bonus .gif found here.]

OrismologIcal Hot Links

A Little Change, Cam Cole 2019 Demo CDThat’s not a band. He’s one guy, a street performer, with videos.

One fried egg.

Tornado omelet.

Surprised octopussy.

100 YEARS OF SLIDERS!

Historic bus stop shelter.

THIS thread is a must read.

Gelmerbahn descent in real time.

Let’s go. You’re singing it wrong.”

Who was known as “the Boss of the Plains”?

Intestines of non-uniform stiffness mold the corners of wombat feces. Duh.

Renowned cold-case detective J. Warner Wallace discusses the credibility of New Testament eyewitnesses.

[Top image is from Animals Should Definitely Not Wear Clothing by Judi & Ron Barrett, 1988.]


From the Archives: 1 year ago. 5 years ago. 10 years ago.


Free Range Cage Chicken

Seems to be an advert for a product called ChickenOrb.
Here’s a training video.

[h/t Pam M. via Facebook.]

The .Gif Friday Post No. 665 – Lowrider, Flamingo Floater & Moonrod

[Found here, here and here.]

18 CROWS

[Found here. Related post here.]

Quingentumvirate Hot Links

Dynaflow Blues, The Johnny Shines Blues Band (1965) Vanguard Johnny Shines (1915-1992) played with some of the greatest bluesmen of his time, including Robert Johnson. He recorded sporadically from 1946 with little success, and in 1952 sold his equipment and returned to construction. Vanguard Records found him in 1965 and revived his career.

Disgusting Part I.

Disgusting Part II.

Admirable.

Cat tail fire.

A Close Call.

The Crap Tree.

Easily amused.

The Tee-Tones.

A small disruption.

[Top image found here.]


From the Archives: 1 year ago. 5 years ago. 10 years ago.


The .Gif Friday Post No. 659 – Happy Emu, Beachfoot, Eatin’ Chickin & Drinkin’ Milk

[Found here, here and here.]