Hammerhead

Hammerhead

We are delighted that Dr Gudrun Gerlach has taken over the sponsorship of the hammerhead (Scopus umbretta).

It is easy to recognise where it got its German name from, especially from its profile: The stately beak and the long, extended feather crest give the hammerhead an unmistakable shape. The probability of encountering a hammerhead is high throughout sub-Saharan Africa. The long-legged waterfowl can be found in all habitats, from rainforest areas to savannahs and semi-deserts, wherever there is a body of water nearby.

Contrary to the widespread misconception that they are nocturnal animals, the hammerheads, sometimes referred to as "shadow birds", are active during the day. Standing motionless in shallow water or sometimes flying slowly over a body of water, they track down their food: At the top of their menu are amphibians, especially clawed frogs - either fully grown or as tadpoles. Smaller fish, crustaceans, insects and worms are also part of their diet.

The nests of the hammerheads, which the pairs use not only for breeding but also for resting outside the breeding season, are unusual: As a rule, they are built on a tree towering over a body of water at a height of 5-10 metres using twigs, grasses and other plant parts. With a total diameter of more than 1.5 metres, completely covered and with a small, hard-to-reach entrance lined with clay, the nests can be described as veritable "living quarters".