Watch it draw itself · tap to replay
How to Draw a Shoebill
Draw a shoebill in 11 easy steps, about 8 minutes. Free, with a printable worksheet.
Each picture adds one red line. Draw that line, then scroll to the next picture. Rub out any dashed helper lines at the end. First up: a big round head.
Step 1: A big round head
Near the top left of your paper, draw a big round head. Leave lots of room under it.
Step 2: Enormous bill
From high on the head to the chin, draw a huge boxy bill with a hook. Add a smile line.
Tip The bill is as big as the head, like a wooden shoe.
Step 3: Eye and tuft
Behind the bill draw a big eye with a shine. Add a soft tuft at the back of the head.
Step 4: Thick neck
Start under the chin, draw a line down and back, stop half a head below. Do another from the back.
Step 5: Slim oval body
Start at the bottom of the back neck line. Draw a slim oval body, ending at the front neck line.
Step 6: Wing and tail
Start on the back behind the neck. Draw a long wing and stop at the start. Add a pointed tail.
Step 7: One very long leg
Start on the tummy. Draw a long thin leg, bending back halfway, down to 3 toes and back up.
Tip Shoebill legs are very long and thin, with a little bend in the middle.
Step 8: The other long leg
A hand further back, draw the second leg the same way. Keep it clear of the first leg.
Step 9: Ground and grass
Start near the left edge. Draw a ground line under the feet, stopping near the right edge. Add grass.
Step 10: Grey shoebill, tan bill
Colour the head, tuft, neck and body grey, but not the wing. Leave the eye white. Colour the bill tan.
Step 11: Dark wing and legs
Colour the long wing, the tail and both long legs dark grey.
Your finished drawing
Follow the steps above and this is where you end up: a shoebill, drawn by you.
Every step in one picture
