large bill, medium-length legs; hammer-like head (South Africa; 2007-06-30)
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Hamerkop
Scopus umbretta
Native Range: Africa
Notes:
this chicken-sized bird gets its name from the shape of its head, which resembles a hammer because of the large bill in front of the head in combination with the crest at the back; oddly, this species has some webbing at the base of its toes desite the fact that it doesn't swim but rather walks through wetland habitats; this species belongs to a monotypic family, meaning in this case that it is the only living species in the Scopidae; no sexual dimorphism; has an odd behavior in which groups of up to 10 individuals join in "ceremonies" that involve running around each other while calling loudly and raising their crests; this species also builds huge domed stick nests that can be nearly two meters in diameter and strong enough to support a grown man's weight.
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