The Hamerkop is a unique wading bird native to sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Madagascar. It is is easily recognizable by its brown plumage, long legs, and distinctive, hammer-shaped head and bill.
These birds are best known for their impressive nest-building skills. A Hamerkop's nest is a massive structure made from sticks, mud, and vegetation, often reaching up to 5 feet (1.5 meters) in diameter. These nests are usually built high in trees or on cliff ledges and can take several weeks to complete. Remarkably, a pair may construct multiple nests each year, even if they do not use them.
Hamerkops inhabit a variety of wetland environments, including rivers, marshes, and estuaries. They primarily feed on amphibians, fish, and aquatic invertebrates, using their long bills to probe muddy water and soft soil.
They are generally solitary or found in pairs, except during the breeding season. They are known for their distinctive "kek-kek-kek" call, which they use to communicate with mates and defend their territory.
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... Read more »
