Hamerkop

Scopus umbretta

The hamerkop (Scopus umbretta), is a medium-sized wading bird.

from Wikipedia

Showing stays that recordHamerkop1 stay lists it on site or nearby

Species insights▾

When to visit

Recorded year-round

Recorded in every month, so no month is the wrong month to look. We would rather say that than invent a best time.

Best monthsAny month

Records2,463 records

Curve from 2,463 national iNaturalist observations, not from one property. Single-month spikes are discarded as upload artefacts, and below 50 records we show no curve at all.

Where you'll find it

KwaZulu-Natal and beyond

Provinces where Hamerkop is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.

2,465 records, iNaturalist

Parks where hosts record the Hamerkop

1 place
Madikwe Game ReserveNorth West · Best Apr to Sep
1 place

Places to stay

1 result in the North West

Jaci's Private Lodge

Madikwe

Hamerkop recorded here · Savanna biome · 71 birds recorded · Leopard, Lion · Game drives, Photography

Supports Jaci's Lodge Trust

From R 31,500 per night

More stays nearby

Shepherd's Tree Game Lodge

North West

Savanna biome · Hot air ballooning

Price on request

Thakadu River Camp

Madikwe

Savanna biome

Price on request

Ivory Tree Game Lodge

North West

Savanna biome · Hot air ballooning

Price on request

Heritage View Birding Retreat

Delareyville

Birder friendly · Grassland biome · 14 birds recorded · Brown hyena, Black backed jackal · Photography

Supports BirdLife South Africa

From R 1,000 per night

Sable Ranch - Bush Lodge

Sable Ranch, Brits

Savanna biome · 1 bird recorded · Bushbuck, Giraffe · Game drives, Hiking

Supports Endangered Wildlife Trust

From R 1,800 per night

Sable Ranch - Thaba Khaya Lodge

Sable Ranch, Brits

Savanna biome · 1 bird recorded · Bushbuck, Giraffe · Game drives

Supports Endangered Wildlife Trust

From R 1,800 per night

Phefumula Country Retreat

Magaliesburg

Savanna biome · Meerkat · Hiking, Scenic drives

From R 1,000 per night

Plan a trip around these stays

Planning a trip

When and where to find the Hamerkop

Hosts have recorded the Hamerkop at stays in or beside Madikwe Game Reserve.

Best hours of the day

The first hours after sunrise, and late afternoon. Birds call and feed most in the cool.
Midday. Quieter, especially in summer heat.

Species

Scopus umbretta

Records

2 465

iNaturalist observations

Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.

Questions travellers ask

A record means a host has seen the Hamerkop on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.

Which parks and reserves are best for the Hamerkop in North West?

Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Hamerkop at stays in or beside Madikwe Game Reserve. A record means a host has seen it on the property or nearby, which makes these the places to base yourself; it is never a guarantee of a sighting on any given day.

Where can you see the Hamerkop in South Africa?

The Hamerkop is most recorded in KwaZulu-Natal (26% of records), Mpumalanga (25% of records), Limpopo (19% of records), based on 2 465 iNaturalist observations. 1 place to stay on Spekboom in North West has recorded the Hamerkop on site or nearby.

When is the best time to see the Hamerkop?

The Hamerkop is recorded throughout the year, so no month is the wrong month to look for it. For the parks where hosts record it most, these are the best seasons they give. Madikwe Game Reserve: Apr-Sep. In the dry months animals concentrate at water and the grass is short.

What is the Hamerkop?

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