Shanz Photography (Back)
Hammerkop (Scopus umbretta)
Shot from Lake Nakuru, KENYA.
Hamerkop is a waterbird. It is unmistakable with all-brown plumage, large “hammer-shaped” head, with heavy bill and square blunt crest on the nape. It has a powerful black bill, slightly hooked at the tip. Legs are blackish, with toes partially webbed. It has large wings and relatively short tail. Its plumage shows light and dark glossy, purplish streaks on wings and body. Both sexes are similar.
VOICE:
Hamerkop is silent when alone. Its song is a series of shrill piping whistles. If several birds call at the same time, the noise is loud and distracting. It utters a far-carrying laughing cry, with rising inflexion. In flight, it utters a high-pitched and nasal “yip” or “kek”.
RANGE & HABITAT:
Hamerkop lives in all kinds of shallow waters. It frequents lake shores, marshes, and well vegetated rocky wades with slowly-running waters, from 300 to 3000 metres.
Hamerkop lives in Africa, south of Sahara, and also in Madagascar and southwest Arabia.
DIET:
Hamerkop feeds on frogs, tadpoles, fish, shrimps, aquatic invertebrates, insects and grasshoppers.
BIOMETRICS:
Length: 47-56 cm; Wingspan: 90-94 cm; Weight: 415-430 g
Exif : Nikon D300s - Nikkor 300mm f/4.0 + TC 1.4x, @420mm, 1/640, f/7.1, ISO:250
Click here to view Large & Black background
Hammerkop (Scopus umbretta)
Shot from Lake Nakuru, KENYA.
Hamerkop is a waterbird. It is unmistakable with all-brown plumage, large “hammer-shaped” head, with heavy bill and square blunt crest on the nape. It has a powerful black bill, slightly hooked at the tip. Legs are blackish, with toes partially webbed. It has large wings and relatively short tail. Its plumage shows light and dark glossy, purplish streaks on wings and body. Both sexes are similar.
VOICE:
Hamerkop is silent when alone. Its song is a series of shrill piping whistles. If several birds call at the same time, the noise is loud and distracting. It utters a far-carrying laughing cry, with rising inflexion. In flight, it utters a high-pitched and nasal “yip” or “kek”.
RANGE & HABITAT:
Hamerkop lives in all kinds of shallow waters. It frequents lake shores, marshes, and well vegetated rocky wades with slowly-running waters, from 300 to 3000 metres.
Hamerkop lives in Africa, south of Sahara, and also in Madagascar and southwest Arabia.
DIET:
Hamerkop feeds on frogs, tadpoles, fish, shrimps, aquatic invertebrates, insects and grasshoppers.
BIOMETRICS:
Length: 47-56 cm; Wingspan: 90-94 cm; Weight: 415-430 g
Exif : Nikon D300s - Nikkor 300mm f/4.0 + TC 1.4x, @420mm, 1/640, f/7.1, ISO:250
Click here to view Large & Black background