Shoebill

Pododermatitis (bumblefoot)

SignsSwelling or scabs on the sole, long periods standing on one leg, reluctance to walk

PreventionAvoid hard floors; use damp soil, sand or grass. Check the soles once a month

Aspergillosis

SignsLabored breathing, open-mouth breathing, weight loss, lethargy, change in voice

PreventionNever leave moldy bedding or damp food. Ventilate and reduce stress

Bill / keratin abnormalities

SignsChipped, cracked or deformed bill; unable to grip food properly

PreventionPrevent collisions with hard fencing. Feed nutritionally balanced fish

Vitamin E / B1 deficiency

SignsUnsteadiness, abnormal neck movements, seizures, poor breeding

PreventionFrozen fish alone is dangerous. Add vitamin supplements to the fish under veterinary guidance

Parasitic infection

SignsDiarrhea, weight loss, dull plumage, worms in the droppings

PreventionDo not feed wild-caught fish. Fecal exams several times a year and manage the enclosure water

Heatstroke / hypothermia

SignsSummer: open-mouth breathing, wings held out. Winter: shivering, staying still and not eating

PreventionProvide shade and water; in winter an indoor facility with heating

Bill fracture / laceration

PreventionStartled birds crash into fences. Make fencing visible, add padding, and avoid sudden approaches by people

First aidPress bleeding gently with clean gauze. No food, rest in a dark place, see the vet the same day

Wing fracture / dislocation

PreventionEnsure enclosure height and space. Capture only by experienced staff wrapping the bird in a cloth

First aidIf a wing droops, secure it against the body with a cloth and transport in a dark cage

Leg / toe injury

PreventionNo sharp stones on the bottom of the water area. Build so feet cannot catch in netting or fencing

First aidStop bleeding with pressure. If it keeps standing on one leg, suspect a fracture and see the vet the same day

Capture stress / shock

PreventionForced capture can kill. Use training and target feeding so the bird moves voluntarily

First aidIf limp after capture, place in a dark quiet place and ask the vet for guidance

Salmonellosis

RouteContact with droppings, water-area water, feeder fish

PreventionWash hands after work. Wear gloves and boots and disinfect

Avian chlamydiosis

RouteInhaling dust from dried droppings or feathers

PreventionWear a mask when cleaning. Dampen droppings before removal

Avian influenza

RouteIntroduced by wild birds; contact with droppings

PreventionNetting to keep wild birds out. Report unusual deaths to the authorities

Bill / claw injuries

RouteBill strikes; lacerations from sharp claws

PreventionNever stand in front of the bird. Work in pairs or more with protective gear

Food

• Staple diet is fish (tilapia, catfish, etc.), about 500 g per day
• Add vitamin E and B1 supplements to frozen fish under veterinary guidance
• Feeding live fish stimulates natural behavior

Water

• Shallow pond or large water area for drinking and bathing at all times
• Circulate and change the water daily; remove algae and mold

Toys & play

• Foraging in a pond stocked with live fish (stimulates instinct)
• Floating objects, tree branches (to poke with the bill)
• Movement and feeding via target training

Nest, bed & hideout

• Flat nest platform of dry grass and branches on grassy shallows
• Bushes or screens to hide from human view

Bedding & litter

• Damp soil, sand or grass ground (hard floors are contraindicated)
• Indoors: thick rubber mats and hay
• Remove droppings daily; disinfect the floor weekly

Cage / housing material

Enclosure of wire mesh or reinforced glass at least 3 m high. Visibility tape on the fencing

Size & space

At least 100 m² per bird, including water and land areas

Layout

• Combine a shallow pond (30–50 cm deep) with grassland
• Place several bushes or screens as hiding places
• Put the feeding area away from visitors

Placement notes

• In winter, an adjoining indoor facility kept at 15°C or above
• Netting to keep out wild birds and wildlife

Exercise, free-roam & walks

• Let it move freely inside the enclosure during the day
• No walks needed. Guide movement with target training
• It can fly. Make sure the roof is fully closed

Temperature & humidity

Temperature20–30°C. Below 10°C, move indoors

Humidity60–80%. Recreate a wetland environment

Summer & winter

• Summer: shade, water and misting against heat
• Winter: keep at 15°C or above in a heated indoor facility

Nail trimming

Wear down naturally on soil and in water. If overgrown, the vet trims them during capture

Brushing, skin & coat care

The bird preens itself. Keep a bathing pond available at all times

Other care

Check the bill weekly for cracks or chips. Boost nutrition during molt

Protection from predators

• Fencing and buried mesh to keep out stray dogs and foxes
• Netting to prevent infections from crows and wild birds
• Manage the water area in summer to reduce mosquitoes and flies

Foreign-body ingestion

Swallows dropped objects, fishing line and plastic. Remove litter from the enclosure daily. Regurgitation or neck-stretching: see the vet immediately

Being stepped on

People will not step on it, but parents can step on chicks or eggs. In breeding season make the nest platform flat and wide

Getting pinched

A leg or wing caught in a door will fracture. Check the bird's position and open or close doors with two people

Falls

Falls from perches or ledges injure the legs. No high perches; keep level changes gentle

Escape

It can fly, so a torn roof net is fatal. Inspect daily. If it escapes, search nearby waterways and contact the authorities and the vet

Safe release procedure

1. Quietly step back and create distance
2. Put a cloth or board between the bill and yourself as a shield
3. A second person wraps the body, wings included, in a cloth from behind
4. Cover the bill with the cloth; once it lets go, release the bird and withdraw

After the release

Bill strikes cause fractures and lacerations. Rinse under running water, apply pressure to stop bleeding, and always seek medical care

What to tell the vet & what to bring

Weight, diet, supplements, photos of droppings, video of breathing. Contact an avian specialist vet in advance

Checking consciousness, breathing & heartbeat

• Check consciousness by calling and watching eye movement
• Check breathing by chest movement (20–30 per minute at rest)
• Place a hand on the chest to check heartbeat (100–200 per minute)

Stopping bleeding

• Press with clean gauze for at least 5 minutes
• For bleeding from a feather shaft, press at the base and pull the feather if necessary
• If it does not stop, keep pressing and transport

Transport

• Large dark wooden box or cage, wings held against the body with a cloth
• In winter, keep warm with a blanket. Keep the head raised and avoid jolting