Introducing the Birdorable Hamerkop

January 5, 2010 in New Birds and Waterbirds with 6 comments

The first new Birdorable bird of 2010 is this Hamerkop, a bird that lives in sub-Saharan Africa. They get their name from their hammer-shaped heads and they are also known as Hammerhead Stork or Anvilhead. We saw these birds on our trip to the Gambia a couple of years ago and instantly fell in love with these little fellows. They have such a cute head and the large bill makes it look like they're always smiling. Check out this gorgeous one sporting a nice stick for its nest.

Talking about nests, these birds are famous for them. Their huge nests, often built in the fork of a tree, can grow to over 5 feet (1.5 meters) across and made with over 10,000 sticks! That's one busy bird! A Hamerkop's nest is strong enough to support a man's weight. The birds like to decorate the outside of their nest with bright-colored objects that they find in the area. We saw one of these large nests, which you can see in the following picture.

If you like our Hamerkop check out our other African birds. Another favorite of ours from our trip to the Gambia was the Egyptian Plover.

Comments

Ashira on January 6, 2010 at 10:33 AM wrote:

EEHEE! ^____^ So CUTE!

Louise Warner on February 26, 2017 at 2:18 PM wrote:

how do u say that? is it ( HAM-UR- KUP ) or ( HUM-A-KOP? )

Andrew on September 25, 2018 at 9:07 PM wrote:

what the hamerkop birds do.

Spurwing Plover on April 12, 2020 at 5:04 AM wrote:

Some in Africa beleive they bring or cause Thunder their also called Hammer Head Stork

Spurwing Plover on February 2, 2022 at 8:04 AM wrote:

The Disney Channel Program had a Episode Ono's Egg Ono a Cattle Egret member of te Lion Guard ends up as Big Brother to young Hammer Kop named Ona for him

Spurwing Plover on May 26, 2022 at 7:19 AM wrote:

They build a huge Nest

Comments with links or HTML will be deleted. Your comment will be published pending approval.

Your name (required)

Your email address (required)

Your email address will not be published

Comment (required)

I agree to receive updates and news from Birdorable

You can unsubscribe from these communications at any time. For more information on how to unsubscribe, our privacy practices, and how we are committed to protecting and respecting your privacy, please review our Privacy Policy. By clicking submit below, you consent to allow Birdorable to store and process the personal information submitted above to provide you the content requested.

Bird Term: Casque

Understanding Bird Casques: Nature’s Remarkable Adaptation

July 18, 2024

In the fascinating world of birds, some species have developed unique adaptations that set them apart from others. One such distinctive feature is the casque. The casque is an enlargement of bones found on the upper beaks and/or heads of certain bird species, typically serving various functions, from...

America's Iconic Bald Eagle Finally Named National Bird

January 7, 2025

The Bald Eagle has long been synonymous with American ideals of freedom and strength. Its image graces the Great Seal of the United States, official documents, military insignia, and currency. However, it wasn't until December 24, 2024, that the Bald Eagle was officially designated as the...

2016 Bonanza Bird #2: Greater Bird-of-Paradise

November 26, 2016

It's the second day of our 2016 Bonanza, where we're introducing a new Birdorable bird each day through December 4th. Today's new bird is the Greater Bird-of-paradise, a large species found in parts of New Guinea. There are 42 species in...

2024 Birdorable Bonanza Bird #2

Tiny and Colorful: The White-browed Tit-Warbler

November 19, 2024

Today's new bird is a colorful little songbird native to parts of Asia: it's our Birdorable White-browed Tit-Warbler! The White-browed Tit-Warbler is one of nature's tiny, colorful wonders. Native to the high-altitude regions of Central Asia, including the Himalayas, this little bird is a favorite among birdwatchers...

Birdorable Blog