Bird
Hamerkop
Scopus umbrettaAlso known as Umbrette, Hammerhead Bird, Hammerhead Stork
Hamerkops are medium-sized wading birds famous for their backward-pointing crest and heavy bill that together form a distinctive hammer-shaped profile. They build enormous domed stick nests up to two meters wide in tree forks near water, often decorating the outside with colourful bright objects and debris. These tireless wetland foragers frequently execute elaborate social displays, bowing, running in circles, and uttering piercing yelps near shallow mudflats.
WetlandWaderArchitect
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyFrogs, Tadpoles, Small fish
Predators
- Monitors
- Large snakes
- Eagles
ThreatsWetland degradation, agricultural pollution, and habitat destruction
HabitatsWetlands, lakesides, riverbanks, estuaries, marshes, and fish ponds
Life span10–15 years
Classification
- OrderPelecaniformes
- FamilyScopidae
- GenusScopus
- SpeciesScopus umbretta
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Look for Nests: Scan large tree crotches along riverbanks for massive domed stick structures.
- Maintain Distance: Observe foraging individuals through binoculars from riverbanks to avoid scaring them away.
- Listen for Calls: Listen for loud, nasal yelping calls given during communal displays near water.
Sister Taxon (c) Annika Lindqvist, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Annika Lindqvist · cc-by
Co-occurring Wader no rights reserved · cc0
Order Relative (c) Kostas Zontanos, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Kostas Zontanos · cc-by
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