About the Hamerkop
The hamerkop, also called the umbrette, is a medium-sized bird. It is the only living species in the genus Scopus and the family Scopidae. The species and family was long thought to sit with the Ciconiiformes but is now placed with the Pelecaniformes, and its closest relatives are thought to be the pelicans and the shoebill. 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 waterbird with brown plumage. It is found in mainland Africa, Madagascar and Arabia, living in a wide variety of wetlands, including estuaries, lakesides, fish ponds, riverbanks, and rocky coasts. The hamerkop is a sedentary bird that often shows local movements.
Source: Wikipedia
Taxonomy & Classification
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Pelecaniformes |
| Family | Hamerkop (Scopidae) |
| Species | Scopus umbretta |
| Species Codes | hamerk1, HAME |
Frequently Asked Questions
What family does the Hamerkop belong to?
The Hamerkop (Scopus umbretta) belongs to the Hamerkop family (Scopidae), in the order Pelecaniformes.
How can I identify the Hamerkop?
The hamerkop, also called the umbrette, is a medium-sized bird. It is the only living species in the genus Scopus and the family Scopidae. The species and family was long thought to sit with the Ciconiiformes but is now placed with the Pelecaniformes, and its closest relatives are thought to be the ...
Where can I report a Hamerkop sighting?
You can log sightings of Hamerkop on eBird (ebird.org) using species code hamerk1, or on iNaturalist.