Hamerkop

Description:

The shape of its head with a long bill and crest at the back is reminiscent of a hammer, which has given this species its name after the Afrikaans word for hammerhead. It is a medium-sized water-bird with brown plumage.

Habitat:

By the side of a lake The species is renowned for its enormous nests, several of which are built during the breeding season. Unusually for a wading bird the nest has an internal nesting chamber where the eggs are laid. Both parents incubate the eggs, and raise the chicks. This nest was embellished with a lot of scavenged 'finds' including plastic bags and shinny paper.

Notes:

The hamerkop is a medium-sized wading bird. It is the only living species in the genus Scopus and the family Scopidae.