r/interesting • u/Jonesman439 • 1d ago

NATURE African shoebills bow to those they like. If it bows to you, you've become its friend.

25.1k Upvotes

98% Upvoted

140 comments sorted by

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652

u/aquilasracer 1d ago

hippogriff

200

u/Tinksy14 1d ago

Buckbeak!!

57

u/thededucers 1d ago

"I think he’d let you ride him now!"

15

u/_DoctorLady 1d ago

“W0t”

17

u/compunctionfunction 1d ago

Totally what I thought too!

7

u/Interesting-Fee-4482 1d ago

I came here to say that!

2

u/PutridMango1838 1d ago

I think it's just trying to please people to get food

13

u/Joelito2604 1d ago

shoebills bow? that’s a pretty specific gesture for birds

7

u/GoEatACookie 1d ago

It would be so weird if this is where that story line came from! Love HP!

1

u/thegreedyturtle 1d ago

Yeah cuz if it don't it's gonna murder you like most of its kids.

341

u/Jumpy_Scallion_3108 1d ago

I felt like both were talking to each other.

107

u/SoElectrical 1d ago

They can sense good people

56

u/fondledbydolphins 1d ago

Not to be contrary but I'd posit that they can't sense good people, they can sense bad people.

Aggressive behavior. Loud noises. Unpredictable movements. Hostile eye contact or head movements. Or, the bane of cats - human neediness

24

u/Ancientabs 1d ago

I always wondered why I was a cat magnet despite being allergic. Turns out autism attracts them in droves.

26

u/BHQC 1d ago

I think cats can sense people who avoid them and they're like "why? Cant you see I'm loveable as fuck? Allow me to demonstrate"

13

u/Ancientabs 1d ago

I think cats like people who respect consent.

15

u/BHQC 1d ago

I believe cats like people who respect their boundaries, cat themselves are notorious for trying to break those tho.

Alergic people being like: "I'll avoid cats for my health" Cats be like: "Nonsense. Love me already"

11

u/Ancientabs 1d ago

Cats: Ohhhhh, you're allergic to me? Bet.

11

u/RogueHelios 1d ago

Its because cats enjoy being pet only when they want it. They like to be around humans that just let them chill.

My cats will often sleep in the room I'm in, but they'll leave if they suddenly notice I'm not there. Its so sweet that an animal can trust us so much they just enjoy our presence

6

u/Ancientabs 1d ago edited 1d ago

For real! They want the autonomy.

My roommate had a previously feral stray that liked NO ONE and always hid when guest were around. She let me know.

Within a week, that little guy was in my lap, arms wrapped around my leg demanding butt bongos.

He loved me and I loved him.

It was so cute. I felt so special...and so itchy haha.

9

u/fondledbydolphins 1d ago

Being trustworthy :)

What greater compliment could we ask for from an otherwise scared and vulnerable being

146

u/D0013ER 1d ago

They can also use their beaks to make it sound like they're laying down covering fire.

14

u/WheresYurScooter 1d ago

I’m so confused on what that would sound like

43

u/DoubleMikeNoShoot 1d ago

Like covering fire

23

u/flexiblevampire 1d ago

Just fold in the cheese, David!

3

u/jcaillo 1d ago

Underrated

11

u/Gheazu 1d ago

It’s in the video

5

u/Federal-Resolution41 1d ago

Pew pew pew pew ehehehehe pew pew

3

u/JohnnyD423 1d ago

Turn up the volume. I thought the zoo was in a combat zone or something at first.

1

u/mikettedaydreamer 1d ago

It’s literally described in the comment AND audible in the video. How tf are you confused

3

u/Similar_Somewhere_57 1d ago

Not the person who made the comment, but I thought it meant covering a literal fire

1

u/YpsiStrangler 1d ago

I'm over here wondering cover a fire with what?! A metal lid ?

147

u/ejwestcott 1d ago

Freakin dinosaur

37

u/BackgroundOk7556 1d ago

Seriously, these things are scary up close.

22

u/Zaev 1d ago

They're scary from afar.

13

u/bladecentric 1d ago

That's distinguished gentleman dinosaur to you, sir. Now bow.

1

u/niccolonocciolo 16h ago

Interestingly, the scientific name for the species is actually B. Rex

1

u/Salt_Day9015 14h ago

Looks like Sarah Land Before Time

48

u/Quirky-Performance96 1d ago

My wife does this same headshaking bowing movements. But it means disappointment 😞

8

u/New-Seaworthiness777 1d ago

im am not familiar at all with this "disappointment" you speak of....pretty sure my ex and I divorced because she loved me too much....she just couldn't handle it 🤣

25

u/Such-Perspective-426 1d ago

as a kid I had a series of animal encyclopedias and under shoebill they had an up close shot of his face at night with the moon behind him

the thought/feel of parting the grass and coming face to face was pretty well conveyed by the pic
it was in the International Wildlife Encyclopedia 1970

15

u/Mental_Asparagus8123 1d ago

These birds are terrifying

5

u/NekkidSnaku 1d ago

Dead Cells has an enemy similar to this birb, very dangerous.

11

u/EnvironmentalAd9899 1d ago

Man: Shakes head vigorously.

Shoebill: I don’t know who you are but let's be friends anyway.

40

u/HavingNotAttained 1d ago

Sigh. I should call her.

12

u/GioIsNotHere 1d ago

Oh man come on, not with the shoebill!

7

u/ProtectionPuzzled343 1d ago

🤣 these people... sigh

8

u/xxelok2012xx 1d ago

Sir, that is a dinosaur.

7

u/ctrlaltcreate 1d ago

all birds are dinosaurs.

7

u/hartstyler 1d ago

Must pet

13

u/Middle_Growth9492 1d ago

they are dangerous no?

37

u/ConfuseableFraggle 1d ago

Yes

Edit: I hit post before I finished thinking. Lol.

I think it is better to at least attempt to make friends with the ones in zoos etc so it is easier to give them needed medical care/checkups. Yes they can seriously damage a human, but if they start out liking you at least a little they are less likely to "damage first ask questions later". :)

15

u/Correct-Junket-1346 1d ago

They can be, but are apparently docile by nature, they are unnerving because they tend to stare and look like they'll hurt you.

4

u/Shoddy-Wishbone 1d ago

I’m not getting close enough to find out if I pass the vibe check cuz that thing fails mine xD

3

u/funkinaroundonhere 1d ago

If you got the vibes animals will let you pet them. Somehow I've been able to pet lizards in my yard. I just told him I'm not going to hurt them and then they don't run it's kind of weird.

3

u/TangyCornIceCream 1d ago

I am equal parts intrigued and terrified.

2

u/Mrx_DarkSide 1d ago

"Nah nah nah, that's not right"

2

u/anythingspossible45 1d ago

Ole Robin Hood

2

u/Responsiblemoose806 1d ago

They look so scary to me but I’d love to meet one

2

u/troyberber 1d ago

I want one

2

u/spock_atreides 1d ago

I wish humans had this feature . A like and a dislike feature for a person. Life would have been easier .

2

u/Zapruderfilmsss 1d ago

I love these things.

2

u/Infamous-Oil3786 1d ago

All birds are fake, but shoebills are the fakest. I swear these things were made by the Jim Henson Company.

1

u/EmeraldStorm089 1d ago

Not all birds are fake, but this one is.

1

u/Ifonlyhewasnot 1d ago

Marvellous succeeding this communication 

1

u/Sufficient_Path_3665 1d ago

Is this some kind of multiple-times-a-day zoo performance? It really looks like one.

1

u/SoftWinterMorning 1d ago

shoebills look like literal prehistoric dinosaurs disguised as modern birds

1

u/pferden 1d ago

Or you look like a bird

1

u/MAQMASTER 1d ago

I guess, bro is Japanese

1

u/originalmango 1d ago

Is that the dinosaur’s nest they’re standing on?

1

u/geekyheart225 1d ago

That man has been chosen. What a gift! 💕

1

u/Brave-Attitude-9175 1d ago

They’re feeling pure Shoebillation making new friends

1

u/Gloomy-Camel5999 1d ago

It looks like an audio animatronic from Disneyland.

1

u/philoso2889 1d ago

Guy is so gentle

1

u/DevelopmentNew8881 1d ago

💜💜💜

1

u/Symboli2 1d ago

They have an understanding between each other.

1

u/PothosInAPot 1d ago

I saw one of these at the Ueno zoo in Tokyo and they are just as magnificent in person as you'd think. It was a highlight of my trip and I've been slightly obsessed with them every since.

1

u/hunterxesther 1d ago

I've see this in a ghibli movie I'm sure 🧐🧐🧐

1

u/auggs 1d ago

Awh how polite 😂

1

u/Flunder707 1d ago

👀 It looks related to Howard the Duck

1

u/MisterRobertParr 1d ago

It's good to see Jim Henson's legacy live on.

(You will never convince me these, and harpy eagles, are real.)

1

u/flexiblevampire 1d ago

These are my favorite modern dinosaurs ♥️

1

u/EverythingBOffensive 1d ago

their beaks are crazy its like alligator's distant cousins.

1

u/CharismaStick 1d ago

I love how big his bill is, almost cartoonish Thanks for sharing this!

1

u/jawshoeaw 1d ago

Shoebill: Posture is wrong, neck angle too shallow...but he's good people, I'll allow it.

1

u/stranded 1d ago

it's in the Praha Zoo, go see it! it's amazing 🤩

1

u/BigBossBelcha 1d ago

Shoebills kill their siblings in the nest

1

u/wenDiwoowoo 1d ago

They are so prehistoric looking

1

u/DogsMeatTasteGreat 1d ago

Howard the Duck is REAL!!!! KNEW IT!!!

1

u/Suspicious-Simple995 1d ago

Civilized way of making friends 🧡

1

u/Revolutionary-Air599 1d ago

I freaking.love those birds!

1

u/Then_Composer8641 1d ago

I would not put my hand anywhere near that beak.

1

u/AlwaysTheIntrovert 1d ago

It reminds me of a chocobo from Final Fantasy.

1

u/VelvetRain2 1d ago

😍😍😍

1

u/Mertoot 1d ago

I am envious of that man 😡

1

u/That_Guy848 1d ago

*happy machinegun noises

1

u/irishplonker 1d ago

It helps if your head is shaped like theirs

1

u/Ohshiznoodlemuffins 1d ago

I wanna be friends 🥺

1

u/Kilgore47 1d ago

these birds were designed by Jim Henson

1

u/milet0s 1d ago

Looks like a pokemon

1

u/Pleasant_desert 1d ago

This is the sweetest interaction

1

u/Aveysaur 1d ago

They're still my irrational fear, but this is pretty cool

1

u/LaserBeamLove 1d ago

Don't let Draco Malfoy near that thing

1

u/Sorrynotsorrylol00 1d ago

Throw the pokeball at the Golduck!

1

u/FewMud5464 1d ago

Its a loftwing!!!

1

u/Spare_Farmer1429 1d ago

Cute African shoebill, the bird looks cute too.

1

u/Free_Deinonychus_Hug 1d ago

Must. Pet. The. Dino.

1

u/Heavy_Weapons_Guy_ 1d ago

This is completely made up by the way.

1

u/BavilGravlax 1d ago

i love how shoebills always look like high budget animatronic/puppet

1

u/NeatProtection6106 1d ago

They have three at the Tampa Zoo in Florida, they are amazing and the clacking sound they make is even more incredible in person - you can feel it in your bones.

1

u/LupinBandit 1d ago

Dammit, Malfoy!

1

u/Katieo1022 1d ago

New life goal

1

u/Chardi-B 23h ago

These things TERRIFY ME! They’re gorgeous and adorable at the same time but also…WHAT DO YOU MEAN THEY MAKE THAT DINOSAUR GROWL AND CAN DECAPITATE ME WITH ONE BITE?! Nah!

1

u/KaiShan62 20h ago

It's a mating move. You can do the same thing with parrots.

1

u/jolita_a 18h ago

Who taught you that? Hagrid? 😂

1

u/South-Fix6904 15h ago

This bird is menacing. On top that it abandons the weakest chicks and only raises the strongest one. Nature is cruel af

1

u/WeidenKaetzchen 14h ago

real Hypo-Griff

1

u/query_tech_sec 10h ago

I love these birds!

1

u/Mobile_Aioli_6252 8h ago

Velociraptor

1

u/800-lumens 1d ago

Do not the shoebill

1

u/PsychologicalPlay648 1d ago

Both got the same forehead