© Faye L - monacoeye • All rights reserved. Lake Victoria • Oct 2009

Bird name: Hamerkop
Latin: Scopus umbretta
Other: Hammerkop
Family: Scopidae • Hamerkop
Range: Sub-Saharan Africa, Arabia
Similar:

Thanks to Faye for the above photo of the Hamerkop in Kenya. Below seen in various locations in Gambia - flooded fields, riverbanks etc.

The taxonomy of the Hamerkop is unclear. A smallish brown stork-like bird, about the size of a Cattle Egret. In a family and genus of its own. There are several unusual aspects to this bird. Partially webbed feet, very large decorated nests built several times a year, communal displays.

National bird of Gambia!

Below, Hamerkop, Tendaba creek, Gambia, Mar 2013.


Below, Hamerkop, Janjanbureh, Gambia, Mar 2013.

More photos...

028 Scopidae - Hamerkop - IOC 2.5 - 2010

Scopus umbretta - Hamerkop - Africa, also SW Arabian Peninsula