"Threats to young shoebills abound in the tropical swamps where they breed. Surprisingly, falling prey to crocodiles isn’t their biggest concern; adult shoebills are known for preying on the reptiles with their specialized beaks. One threat does stand out as more dangerous than the rest, however: the stifling heat. Newly hatched chicks are unable to regulate their own body temperature and are thus extremely vulnerable to hyperthermia. Fortunately, their parents instinctively know to help. Using their massive bills as buckets, they scoop up water and douse the chicks, keeping them cool even under the midday sun."
Excerpt from "Birds", published by Abrams, 2017