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Hammerkop

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iHammerkop

Image:Hammerkop.jpg

Conservation status

Image:Status iucn3.1 LC.svg
Least Concern (LC)

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Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Ciconiiformes or Pelecaniformes
Family:	Scopidae Bonaparte, 1849
Genus:	Scopus Brisson, 1760
Species:	S. umbretta

Binomial name

Scopus umbretta
Gmelin, 1789

The Hammerkop (Scopus umbretta) is a medium-sized (56cm) bird with a long shaggy crest. The shape of its head with a curved bill and crest at the back is reminiscent of a hammer, hence its name. Its plumage is a drab brown all over.

It occurs in Africa south of the Sahara, Madagascar and southwest Arabia in all wetland habitats including rice paddies. Normally it is seen alone or as a pair. The food is typical of long-legged wading birds, including fish, frogs, rodents and similar small animals.

It builds a huge haystack-like stick nest nearly 2m across in a tree fork, and lays 3 to 6 eggs. The nest is reused each year. It has a noisy call.

The Hamerkop is usually included in the Ciconiiformes, but might be closer to the Pelecaniformes^{[citation needed]}. It constitutes a family (Scopidae) and genus (Scopus) all on its own because of its unique characteristics.

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[edit] References

BirdLife International (2004). Scopus umbretta. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 12 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern