Top 3 birds that like to eat crocodiles: Number 1 also hunts snakes, a descendant of dinosaurs!

In the animal kingdom, strange things can happen in unexpected ways. The fact that some birds have a unique hobby of eating crocodiles is one of them. Let's learn about 3 birds that are capable of hunting crocodiles!

1. Shoebill Stork 

According to MSN, the Shoebill Stork is a unique bird species from Africa. The name Shoebill Stork comes from the strange shape of the bird's beak.

The shoebill stork is named after the unusual shape of its beak. (Photo: MSN)

The shoebill is a relatively large species, with adults measuring 115–150 cm tall, 100–140 cm long, with a wingspan of 230–260 cm and weighing 4–7 kg. Its beak is on average 30 cm long. Despite its relatively large body, its legs are quite slender, creating a strange disproportion. The shoebill is a descendant of the small dinosaur "Theropoda" - the same group as the T-Rex. Through the evolutionary process, the sharp-toothed mouth was replaced by a beak.

Although the Shoebill Stork's main diet is a variety of fish, its feeding habits are actually quite varied. Crocodiles, fish, lizards, snakes and turtles are all on its menu, and it will even eat newborn mammals such as antelope if given the chance.

Shoebills are considered natural enemies of crocodiles, especially baby crocodiles. (Photo: Pinterest)

Shoebills are considered natural enemies of crocodiles, especially baby crocodiles. The reason is that their beaks are wide and sturdy, curved into a hook shape. This beak can penetrate crocodile skin, and the edges of the bird's beak are even razor sharp, easily cutting through the flesh of its prey.

MSN also posted a video sharing images of a shoebill stork catching and eating a baby crocodile.

2. Great Blue Heron

The great blue heron is a large bird of the Ardeidae family that inhabits open waters and wetlands in North and Central America. It is a fairly large bird, averaging 1.3 metres (4 ft) in height, 1.3 metres (4 ft) in head-to-tail length, and a spread of over 2 metres (6 ft).

The great blue heron is a killer predator, this bird can eat anything that fits in its beak. (Photo: Pinterest)

The Great Blue Heron has blue-gray plumage, and with a large appearance, "the Great Blue Heron is a killer predator, they can eat anything that fits in their beak".

Although the great blue heron's main diet consists of fish, shrimp, crabs, insects, mice and other small mammals, the great blue heron also eats amphibians such as frogs, snakes, reptiles and even baby alligators and sharks.

A great blue heron eats a baby alligator. (Photo: Shellie Gilliam)

American wildlife photographer Shellie Gilliam was out on a trip to Lake Apopka when she accidentally caught a great blue heron eating a baby alligator. Great blue herons have very large beaks, esophaguses and stomachs that stretch, allowing them to swallow prey as large as baby alligators.

3. Eagle

According to the Telegraph, the eagle is a large bird of prey belonging to the order Falconiformes and the family Accipitridae. The largest eagle has a body of more than 1m and weighs 7kg. They live everywhere with high mountains and primeval forests that have not been cut down by humans such as the coast of Australia, Indonesia, Africa . but mainly the Eurasian continent.

Eagles are predators at the top of the food chain. (Photo: Pinterest)

Eagles have many different identifying features among the eagle species but the most prominent are the feather color and size of each species. Their wingspan ranges from 1.5 m to 2 m. They are powerful birds and are known for their excellent hunting ability.

Eagles are apex predators , and when healthy, they have virtually no natural predators. Their diet is varied, ranging from birds, such as chickens and geese, to reptiles, especially monitor lizards, and snakes, including venomous snakes such as cobras, vipers, mambas, and African rock pythons. They also eat baby crocodiles.

An eagle was once recorded in Kruger National Park, South Africa, catching a baby crocodile and eating it deliciously.

An eagle in Kruger National Park, South Africa caught a baby crocodile and ate it deliciously. (Photo: Pinterest)