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also known as Hammerkop, Hammerkopf, Hammerhead, Hammerhead Stork, Umbrette, Umber Bird, Tufted Umber, or Anvilhead, is a medium-sized wading bird. The shape of its head with a curved bill and crest at the back is reminiscent of a hammer, hence its name. The Hamerkop's behavior is unlike other birds. One unusual feature is that up to ten birds join in "ceremonies" in which they run circles around each other, all calling loudly, raising their crests, fluttering their wings. Another is "false mounting", in which one bird stands on top of another and appears to mount it, but they may not be mates and do not copulate.
This bird built its nest among a savannah of thorn bushes, and after much labor and precision, called the female with a frantic and acrobatic flapping of its wings. If the nest was approved, after rigorous inspection by the weaver lady, the house was approved without resorting to credits or exorbitant rents.
The Yellow-billed stork, sometimes also called the wood stork or wood ibis, is a large African wading stork species in the Ciconiidae family. It is widespread in regions south of the Sahara and also occurs in Madagascar. We saw plenty at Naivasha
A Superb Starling takes a break from insect and berry-hunting.
Superb Starling (Lamprotornis superbus), 18 cm
31 July 2010
Amboseli National Park
Kenya
© Marlene C. Francia 2010
One of the most uniquely named bird. Its common name is popularly thought to derive from the crest of long quill-like feathers, lending the bird the appearance of a secretary with quill pens tucked behind his or her ear, as was once common practice. Had managed to spot this bird quite a few times, but only once did we manage to see them in a pose which kind of justifies its name. Its not a very good image but the name justifying pose made me share this.