Our approach to modeling continues to expand and I just love doing the life-like right now! After doing the Mudskipper and hearing the positive feedback I figured let's try another community suggestion and go for realistic features and well - I am kind of obsessed with how cool this came out! The Shoebill is an epically powerful bird and the style and poise represented in this model embodies that nicely! Shout out to @moo moos mom for the suggestion!

Let's get science-y! Shoebill storks are towering, prehistoric-looking birds that seem like they stepped straight out of the age of dinosaurs. With their massive shoe-shaped bills, piercing stare, and statue-still hunting style, they are one of the most unforgettable birds on Earth. Found in the swamps and wetlands of Africa, shoebills are silent ambush predators that can stand motionless for long periods before striking with incredible speed. Their powerful beaks are built to grab slippery prey like fish, frogs, snakes, and even small reptiles. Calm, intense, and almost mythical in appearance, the shoebill stork is a living reminder of nature’s wildest designs.

📝 Things to note: Supports are needed when printing the wings, but nothing else should need supports. A small brim on the head is encouraged.

The head and wings pop in with ball joints. The head may take a little oomph to snap into place!

I really wanted the wings to rest naturally at the sides of the body while still being able to rotate and pose. Because of that, the wing ball joints do rest on supports, which I know is a little unconventional, but I’ve had a lot of success with this setup during testing.

Slow is definitely the ideal approach when printing this model to make sure the articulation and geometry work as intended. I like 60mm/s outer walls.

Thank you all!! ~Brian

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**Print Settings: ** For best results use the included 3mf files for my settings.

Coloring

These are colored by parts, so if you'd like to make adjustments, color changes etc, please consider looking at the object parts rather than using the paint tools.

3mf Files

Bambu and Snapmaker 3mf included

STL Files Included

Print Settings: 🖨️

3 Walls and 15% Gyroid infill

0.2 layer height

Supports on wings

No supports for body

No supports for head

Brim recommended on the head

Printed down to 60% successfully