birdWatch

Hamerkop

Scopidae: Scopus umbretta

This bird, whose name means 'Hammerhead' in Dutch, eats frogs, tadpoles, insects, shrimp and fish. It builds huge, domed nests, with a side entrance. They build several nests a year, even if they don't actually use them all.

The Hamerkop is in a genus of its own. Some think its closest relatives are herons; others think storks. It reaches about 56cm in length.

Kenya Bird Index