Hamerkop

Other Name
Shona Name:
Ndebele Name:
Type:
Aves
Order:
Pelecaniformes
Diet:
Fish and insects
Size:
Medium sized wading bird measuring 47 – 56 cm in length
Weight:
Weighing around 415 – 430 grams
Protection Status:
General Background:
The Hamerkop is a remarkable wading bird who is so named as its head shape, curved bill and back crest resembles a hammer.The Hamerkop is distributed around the coasts of Africa, south of the Sahara and Madagascar. The Hamerkop prefers wetland habitats such as all types of shallow slow moving or still waters including irrigated land such as rice fields, also savannas and forests. Territories are dominated by pairs, Hamerkops usually feed alone or in pairs and mainly during the daytime, taking a rest at noon to roost. Their diet consists of mainly aquatic invertebrates and they will also eat fish, insects, shrimp and rodents.