Hammerkop, also known as Scopus umbretta is a medium-sized bird that lives around water bodies. Hammerkops possess dull brown plumage and the shape of its head and bill is like that of the hammer and this is where its name is derived. This bird is common in Uganda’s most waterlogged areas that are occupied by swamps, rivers, lakes among others.
It has numerous names and among others include hammerhead stork, umber bird and tufted umber. It has got short legs and neck which is not so common with most water birds which have long legs and necks. They are interesting to watch and most of the time, they are quiet and only make noise when they are in groups while flying. They crackle and shrill cry as they fly.
They have a habit of gating in flocks like 10 in number and fly in a circular form as they make noise while flattering their wings. The hamerkop normally feeds on amphibians, fish, small insects and this means that they are fresh eaters and mostly feed in pairs. They are good predators but at times the fish eagles chase them away from their catch.
Breeding for hammerkop takes place all year round but courtship happens from August to September. Mating is usually done in their nests and hamerkops are known to build huge and strong nests that can support the weight of the human being. Their nests are built near water bodies, built in a pair that is a joint effort through collecting different materials like grass and sticks.
The nest of a hammerkop is wide to be able to accommodate the whole family – the female, male and chicks. Birds like Eagle owls, barn owls normally chase the hamerkop away from the nest and start living there because the nest is big enough to accommodate these big birds. When they leave, the hamerkops returns to reuse the nest. When a hammerkop abandons the nest, big snakes occupy the nests as well. Other birds like starlings, pigeons and many more use the abandoned nests as the base to build their own.
Females lay between 3 to 7 eggs and they take about 28 to 30 days to hatch. Hatching is done by both parents and after they will be responsible for taking care of the chicks through feeding and protection equally. They spend 50 days with their parents in the nest but after they move outside, to be considered mature and also start their own families.
A hammerkop can be found in most parts of Uganda, and a visit to areas like Isunga Cultural Community in Kibale national park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lake Mburo national park, a traveler cannot miss their sighting. This are must-visit destinations where hamerkops and their nests can be oftenly seen.
As you plan to visit Uganda for your birding safari, you need to know that a hamerkop can be spotted any time of the year. But remember, during the wet season of March to May and October to November, hammerkops tend to hide in their nests because of much coldness. And also the water level increases which seem not favorable for the hammerkop to capture their food.
During the dry season months of December to February and June to September, water levels are lower making it easy for a hammerkop to search for their prey in shallow waters.
