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Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Hamerkop

The Hamerkop is an unmistakable, dull-brown, short-legged waterbird. The hamer-shaped head with it's large thick crest and flattened, boat-shaped bill is distinctive.

We often watch this fascinating mostly solitary bird feeding in small, shallow dams and at the river. Sometimes there are about three or four feeding together.


The Hamerkop builds a distinctive, domed nest usually in the fork of a tree, sometimes on a cliff ledge. We found this nest in a tree along the river a distance away from the bird in top photo

11 comments:

  1. The first photo shows the hammer-shaped head so well, Jo, but I like the second photo best, where the bird is walking through the water.
    Luv — K

    Kay, Alberta, Canada
    An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel

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  2. Beautiful, Jo. You have so many exotic and beautiful birds there. I love the Hamerkop.

    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  3. A unmistakable hammerhead indeed. Their net is quite a structure, built like a prehistoric tomb.
    Great captures Jo.

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  4. A unmistakable hammerhead indeed. Their net is quite a structure, built like a prehistoric tomb.
    Great captures Jo.

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  5. Interesting shaped bird head and a Huge nest.

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  6. What a strange bird ! do you make yourself invisible to take these pictures ;) !

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  7. Wow, that is a huge nest and a cool looking bird. Thanks for sharing these birds of Africa, Jo! I love seeing them.

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  8. That is SOME Nest Girl!
    Wow, what a bird!!
    hughugs

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  9. What a wonderful bird. I love your photos.

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  10. That's an impressive nest!

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  11. The Hamerkop is an intriguing bird--so unusual looking and it makes a unique nest, too.

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Thank you for visiting my blog and taking the time to leave a comment. I appreciate your feedback. Jo