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Nottingham Post
Nottingham Post
National
Sam Dimmer

Rare African crocodile-eating bird spotted 6,000 miles from home at Rutland Water

A rare bird has been spotted 6,000 miles from home at Rutland water.

It's been claimed the rare bird - called a Shoebill Balaeniceps Rex - was spotted at the nature reserve on Thursday morning (August 8).

The bird is usually found in Uganda, Sudan or Zambia, reports Leicestershire Live.

A shoebill, which can grow up to 140cm tall and has a wingspan on up to 260cm, was reported to have been seen by senior reserves officer for Rutland Water, Rebecca Pitman.

There are only between 5,000 and 8,000 shoebills left in the wild, most of which live in the African swamps.

Rebecca Pitman said "I couldn't believe my eyes.

"I first spotted the shoebill standing stock-still in the reeds, staring at the water. It didn't seem to be bothered my presence at all."

The Ugandan tourist board said the summer weather may be the reason for the shoebill's unexpected arrival.

A statement from the Ugandan Tourist Board also suggests Rutland Water is not that different to the bird's natural habitat.

Shoebill Balaeniceps Rex (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The shoebill's normal diet includes baby crocodiles, frogs, water snakes and lungfish.

The reported sighting comes ahead of the British Birdwatching Fair, which takes place at Rutland Water between August 16-18.

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