{"product_id":"hand-carved-shoebill-hanging-bird-ornament","title":"Shoebill Hanging Ornament - Hand-Carved Solid Basswood","description":"\u003ch2\u003eShoebill Hanging Ornament — Hand-Carved Solid Basswood\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis Shoebill (\u003ca rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/ebird.org\/species\/shoebi1\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eBalaeniceps rex\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e) is inspired by the global avian data and sightings tracked by eBird, the world’s largest biodiversity database maintained by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. One of the most sought-after birds on any serious birder’s life list, the Shoebill’s prehistoric silhouette, slate-blue plumage, and extraordinary clog-shaped bill are captured here in hand-carved solid basswood — a species that commands attention whether in the Ugandan swamps or on your Christmas tree.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTechnical Specifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eFeature\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDetails\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSpecies\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eShoebill (\u003cem\u003eBalaeniceps rex\u003c\/em\u003e)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaterial\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSolid Basswood — sustainably sourced, knot-free\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCraftsmanship\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHand-carved and hand-painted by skilled artisans\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDimensions\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2–3\" H (approx. 5–7.5 cm)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMount Type\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHanging ornament with jute cord loop\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCollector’s Note\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnlike resin, this solid basswood piece allows for anatomical precision found in our full \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/paintedbird.shop\/collections\/hanging-bird-ornaments\"\u003eHanging Bird Ornaments Collection\u003c\/a\u003e. Basswood is the preferred medium of master carvers worldwide — its tight, uniform grain accepts fine detail cuts without splintering, holds paint with exceptional fidelity, and ages gracefully without warping. The Shoebill’s defining feature — its enormous, hook-tipped bill — requires the kind of structural precision that only solid wood carving can deliver. Cast resin would lose the sharpness of the bill’s edges and the subtle texture of its slate-blue plumage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy You’ll Love It\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAuthentic Detail:\u003c\/strong\u003e The Shoebill’s iconic clog-shaped bill, piercing yellow eye, and slate-blue body plumage are carved and painted to field-guide accuracy — instantly recognisable to any birder who has dreamed of seeing one in the wild.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEco-Friendly Art:\u003c\/strong\u003e Solid wood, not plastic or resin. A renewable, biodegradable material that leaves a lighter footprint without sacrificing beauty.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVersatile Decor:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hang it on a Christmas tree, display it in a study or library, or use it as a conversation-starting centrepiece — the Shoebill’s extraordinary form makes it a standout in any setting.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThoughtful Gift:\u003c\/strong\u003e The ultimate present for serious birdwatchers, wildlife enthusiasts, and anyone fascinated by rare and unusual species. Also a meaningful 5th anniversary gift — wood is the traditional material for five years together, and few ornaments are as unforgettable as this one.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e🦤 Did You Know?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe Shoebill (\u003cem\u003eBalaeniceps rex\u003c\/em\u003e) is classified as \u003cstrong\u003eVulnerable\u003c\/strong\u003e on the IUCN Red List, with a global population estimated at fewer than 5,000 individuals. eBird checklists from Uganda, South Sudan, and Zambia represent some of the most prized sighting records in the entire database — logged by birders who travel thousands of miles for a single encounter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eeBird data reveals that the Shoebill is a \u003cstrong\u003emaster of stillness\u003c\/strong\u003e — it can stand motionless in papyrus swamps for hours waiting to ambush lungfish and catfish. Observers logging sightings on eBird frequently note extended stationary periods, making confirmed sightings a genuine achievement in citizen science documentation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat material is this ornament made from?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt is hand-carved from solid basswood — a premium, sustainably sourced hardwood chosen for its fine grain and carving precision. No resin, no plastic.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow do I clean it?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWipe gently with a dry or very slightly damp soft cloth. Avoid soaking or submerging in water. Store in a cool, dry place when not displayed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this part of a larger collection?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes — explore our full range of hand-carved and hand-painted bird ornaments in the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/paintedbird.shop\/collections\/hanging-bird-ornaments\"\u003eHanging Bird Ornaments Collection\u003c\/a\u003e, featuring dozens of species for collectors and gift-givers alike.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WOODEN ISLANDS","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45778810896638,"sku":"PB-H-Shoebill","price":19.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0620\/7012\/8894\/files\/20240716_154337.jpg?v=1728995441","url":"https:\/\/paintedbird.shop\/en-gb\/products\/hand-carved-shoebill-hanging-bird-ornament","provider":"PAINTEDBIRD.SHOP","version":"1.0","type":"link"}