Silhouette: Arthur Grosset (photo), John E. McCormack, Michael G. Harvey, Brant C. Faircloth, Nicholas G. Crawford, Travis C. Glenn, Robb T. Brumfield & T. Michael Keesey · PhyloPic

Hamerkop

Q: What are the chances of seeing a Hamerkop in Samburu National Reserve?

Possible. About 20% of wildlife watchers report a Hamerkop sighting in Samburu National Reserve on a given day, based on 176 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data from 2019 to 2026. It is the 113th most-seen of the 341 birds we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 40%, and over a week to about 70%, if each day is a fresh chance.

Q: When is the best time to see a Hamerkop in Samburu National Reserve?

June. In that month about 30% of wildlife watchers report a Hamerkop in Samburu National Reserve on a given day, against about 10% in January, March and September–November, the lowest months. That is one of Samburu National Reserve's driest months, with about 10 mm of rain against 95 mm in April.

Q: What time of day is best to see a Hamerkop?

Between 8 and 11 am. Across all the parks we cover, that three-hour window holds the most Hamerkop sightings with a recorded time, and about 9 in 10 of them come between 6 am and 6 pm: it is a daytime animal.

Q: Is Samburu National Reserve the best place to see a Hamerkop?

33rd of 56. Of the 56 parks where we can rate Hamerkop sightings, Samburu National Reserve ranks 33rd at about 20%. The best odds are in Niokolo-Koba National Park (Senegal, about 80%), South Luangwa National Park (Zambia, about 60%) and Queen Elizabeth National Park (Uganda, about 60%). All parks ranked.

Q: Which relatives of the Hamerkop live in Samburu National Reserve?

Same order: Pelecaniformes. The closest relatives of the Hamerkop that you can see in Samburu National Reserve (order Pelecaniformes, Pelicans, Herons, Ibises, and Allies) are Black-headed Heron (about 30%), Cattle Egret (about 20%) and Hadada (about 20%), with each one's daily chance of a sighting.

Q: Where does the Hamerkop sighting chance come from?

GBIF citizen-science records. It is estimated from how often the Hamerkop is recorded against all the birds logged in Samburu National Reserve (176 verified sightings from 2019 to 2026), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.

Scopus umbretta

Silhouette: Arthur Grosset (photo), John E. McCormack, Michael G. Harvey, Brant C. Faircloth, Nicholas G. Crawford, Travis C. Glenn, Robb T. Brumfield & T. Michael Keesey · PhyloPic

LCLeast ConcernNTVUENCR

KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
PhylumChordata (Chordates)
ClassAves (Birds)
OrderPelecaniformes (Pelicans, Herons, Ibises, and Allies)
FamilyScopidae (Hamerkops)
GenusScopus (Hamerkops)
SpeciesScopus umbretta (Hamerkop)

Daily sighting probability ~20% · Possible

at Samburu National Reserve

In 3 days ~40% in a week ~70%

176 Verified sightings at Samburu National Reserve From 2019 to 2026

14,723 In all 56 parks

June Best month

☀️ Diurnal When it's spotted

About the Hamerkop

The hamerkop (Scopus umbretta), also called the umbrette, is a medium-sized water bird 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 shape of its head, with its long bill and crest at the back, gives this species its name, hamerkop being the Afrikaans word for hammerhead. Long considered to sit with the Ciconiiformes, the species and its family is now placed with the Pelecaniformes, its closest relatives thought to be the pelicans and the shoebill. It is the only living species in the genus Scopus and the family Scopidae.

The hamerkop is a sedentary bird that often shows local movements. Usually hunting in shallow water, either by sight or touch, it feeds mostly on fish and amphibians; however, the species is adaptable and will take any prey it can. The species is renowned for its enormous nests, several of which it builds during the breeding season. Unusually for a wading bird, the species constructs its nest with an internal nesting chamber where the eggs are laid. Both parents incubate the eggs and raise the chicks.

The species is not globally threatened and is locally abundant in mainland Africa and Madagascar. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has assessed it as being of least concern. Wikipedia →

Sounds

Call0:15

Zambia · 2023

Flight call0:15

Zambia · 2023

Song0:12

Kenya · 2021

Global Distribution

Where it is recorded most Our parks where it lives Our cities where it livesIn captivity: 89 zoos & centres

Parks Where Found

#	Park	Country	Daily sighting probability
1	Niokolo-Koba National Park	🇸🇳 Senegal	~80%
2	South Luangwa National Park	🇿🇲 Zambia	~60%
3	Queen Elizabeth National Park	🇺🇬 Uganda	~60%
4	Liwonde National Park	🇲🇼 Malawi	~50%
5	Ruaha National Park	🇹🇿 Tanzania	~50%
6	Meru National Park	🇰🇪 Kenya	~50%
7	Lake Mburo National Park	🇺🇬 Uganda	~50%
8	Akagera National Park	🇷🇼 Rwanda	~50%
9	Nairobi National Park	🇰🇪 Kenya	~50%
10	Odzala-Kokoua National Park	🇨🇬 Republic of the Congo	~50%
11	Gonarezhou National Park	🇿🇼 Zimbabwe	~50%
12	Masai Mara National Reserve	🇰🇪 Kenya	~40%
13	Arusha National Park	🇹🇿 Tanzania	~40%
14	Lower Zambezi National Park	🇿🇲 Zambia	~40%
15	Kafue National Park	🇿🇲 Zambia	~40%
16	Lake Manyara National Park	🇹🇿 Tanzania	~40%
17	Tarangire National Park	🇹🇿 Tanzania	~40%
18	Mana Pools National Park	🇿🇼 Zimbabwe	~40%
19	Moremi Game Reserve	🇧🇼 Botswana	~40%
20	Mikumi National Park	🇹🇿 Tanzania	~30%
21	Selous Game Reserve	🇹🇿 Tanzania	~30%
22	Kruger National Park	🇿🇦 South Africa	~30%
23	Virunga National Park	🇨🇩 Democratic Republic of the Congo	~30%
24	Awash National Park	🇪🇹 Ethiopia	~30%
25	Gorongosa National Park	🇲🇿 Mozambique	~20%
26	Lake Nakuru National Park	🇰🇪 Kenya	~20%
27	Ngorongoro Conservation Area	🇹🇿 Tanzania	~20%
28	Murchison Falls National Park	🇺🇬 Uganda	~20%
29	Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park	🇿🇦 South Africa	~20%
30	Serengeti National Park	🇹🇿 Tanzania	~20%
31	Chobe National Park	🇧🇼 Botswana	~20%
32	Hwange National Park	🇿🇼 Zimbabwe	~20%
33	Samburu National Reserve	🇰🇪 Kenya	~20%
34	Tsavo West National Park	🇰🇪 Kenya	~20%
35	Kidepo Valley National Park	🇺🇬 Uganda	~20%
36	iSimangaliso Wetland Park	🇿🇦 South Africa	~20%
37	Amboseli National Park	🇰🇪 Kenya	~20%
38	Pilanesberg National Park	🇿🇦 South Africa	~20%
39	Bale Mountains National Park	🇪🇹 Ethiopia	~10%
40	uMkhuze Game Reserve	🇿🇦 South Africa	~10%
41	Mkomazi National Park	🇹🇿 Tanzania	~10%
42	Semuliki National Park	🇺🇬 Uganda	~10%
43	Tsavo East National Park	🇰🇪 Kenya	~10%
44	De Hoop Nature Reserve	🇿🇦 South Africa	~10%
45	Kibale National Park	🇺🇬 Uganda	~10%
46	Berenty Reserve	🇲🇬 Madagascar	~10%
47	Waterberg Plateau Park	🇳🇦 Namibia	~10%
48	Bwindi Impenetrable National Park	🇺🇬 Uganda	<5%
49	Ranomafana National Park	🇲🇬 Madagascar	<5%
50	Nyungwe National Park	🇷🇼 Rwanda	<5%
51	Addo Elephant National Park	🇿🇦 South Africa	<5%
52	Aberdare National Park	🇰🇪 Kenya	<5%
53	Etosha National Park	🇳🇦 Namibia	<5%
54	Volcanoes National Park	🇷🇼 Rwanda	<5%
55	Mantadia National Park	🇲🇬 Madagascar	<5%
56	Garden Route National Park	🇿🇦 South Africa	<5%

Cities Where Found

#	City	Country	Daily sighting probability
1	Ouagadougou	🇧🇫 Burkina Faso	~60%
2	Kampala	🇺🇬 Uganda	~50%
3	Kigali	🇷🇼 Rwanda	~50%
4	Serrekunda	🇬🇲 Gambia	~40%
5	Abuja	🇳🇬 Nigeria	~30%
6	Brazzaville	🇨🇬 Republic of the Congo	~30%
7	Dar es-Salaam	🇹🇿 Tanzania	~20%
8	Maputo	🇲🇿 Mozambique	~20%
9	Harare	🇿🇼 Zimbabwe	~20%
10	Lilongwe	🇲🇼 Malawi	~20%

Zoos & Centres Where Found

#	Zoo / Centre	Country
1	Disney's Animal Kingdom	🇺🇸 United States	In captivity
2	San Diego Zoo	🇺🇸 United States	In captivity
3	Prague Zoo	🇨🇿 Czechia	In captivity
4	Copenhagen Zoo	🇩🇰 Denmark	In captivity
5	Tierpark Berlin	🇩🇪 Germany	In captivity
6	Natura Artis Magistra	🇳🇱 Netherlands	In captivity
7	Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden	🇺🇸 United States	In captivity
8	Zürich Zoo	🇨🇭 Switzerland	In captivity
9	Dresden Zoo	🇩🇪 Germany	In captivity
10	Antwerp Zoo	🇧🇪 Belgium	In captivity
11	Barcelona Zoo	🇪🇸 Spain	In captivity
12	Zlín-Lešná Zoo	🇨🇿 Czechia	In captivity
13	Paris Zoological Park	🇫🇷 France	In captivity
14	Réserve africaine de Sigean	🇫🇷 France	In captivity
15	Parc des oiseaux	🇫🇷 France	In captivity
16	Zoo de Doué	🇫🇷 France	In captivity
17	Abilene Zoological Gardens	🇺🇸 United States	In captivity
18	San Diego Zoo Safari Park	🇺🇸 United States	In captivity
19	Safaripark Beekse Bergen	🇳🇱 Netherlands	In captivity
20	Toronto Zoo	🇨🇦 Canada	In captivity
21	Safari West	🇺🇸 United States	In captivity
22	Columbus Zoo and Aquarium	🇺🇸 United States	In captivity
23	Kansas City Zoo	🇺🇸 United States	In captivity
24	Chester Zoo	🇬🇧 United Kingdom	In captivity
25	Milwaukee County Zoo	🇺🇸 United States	In captivity
26	Oakland Zoo	🇺🇸 United States	In captivity
27	The Maryland Zoo	🇺🇸 United States	In captivity
28	Toledo Zoo	🇺🇸 United States	In captivity
29	Detroit Zoo	🇺🇸 United States	In captivity
30	Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens	🇺🇸 United States	In captivity
31	Marwell Zoo	🇬🇧 United Kingdom	In captivity
32	Selwo Aventura	🇪🇸 Spain	In captivity
33	Audubon Zoo	🇺🇸 United States	In captivity
34	Berlin Zoological Garden	🇩🇪 Germany	In captivity
35	Caldwell Zoo	🇺🇸 United States	In captivity
36	Wrocław Zoological Garden	🇵🇱 Poland	In captivity
37	Calgary Zoo	🇨🇦 Canada	In captivity
38	San Francisco Zoo	🇺🇸 United States	In captivity
39	ZOOM Erlebniswelt	🇩🇪 Germany	In captivity
40	ZooTampa	🇺🇸 United States	In captivity
41	Oregon Zoo	🇺🇸 United States	In captivity
42	Lisbon Zoo	🇵🇹 Portugal	In captivity
43	Memphis Zoo	🇺🇸 United States	In captivity
44	Wildlands	🇳🇱 Netherlands	In captivity
45	Houston Zoo	🇺🇸 United States	In captivity
46	San Antonio Zoo	🇺🇸 United States	In captivity
47	Cologne Zoological Garden	🇩🇪 Germany	In captivity
48	Philadelphia Zoo	🇺🇸 United States	In captivity
49	Honolulu Zoo	🇺🇸 United States	In captivity
50	Zoo Atlanta	🇺🇸 United States	In captivity

Show all 50 Show fewer

Closest Relatives at Samburu National Reserve

Ardea melanocephala

Daily sighting probability ~30% · Possible

Bubulcus ibis

Daily sighting probability ~20% · Possible

Bostrychia hagedash

Daily sighting probability ~20% · Possible

Ardea cinerea

Daily sighting probability ~20% · Possible

Butorides striata

Daily sighting probability ~10% · With luck

Ardea alba

Daily sighting probability ~10% · With luck

Ardea goliath

Daily sighting probability ~10% · With luck

Threskiornis aethiopicus

Daily sighting probability ~10% · With luck

Platalea alba

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare

Nycticorax nycticorax

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare

Egretta intermedia

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare

Ardea purpurea

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare

See all 12 relatives Show fewer

Before you go

What are the chances of seeing a Hamerkop in Samburu National Reserve?

Possible

About 20% of wildlife watchers report a Hamerkop sighting in Samburu National Reserve on a given day, based on 176 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data from 2019 to 2026. It is the 113th most-seen of the 341 birds we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 40%, and over a week to about 70%, if each day is a fresh chance.

When is the best time to see a Hamerkop in Samburu National Reserve?

June

In that month about 30% of wildlife watchers report a Hamerkop in Samburu National Reserve on a given day, against about 10% in January, March and September–November, the lowest months. That is one of Samburu National Reserve's driest months, with about 10 mm of rain against 95 mm in April.

What time of day is best to see a Hamerkop?

Between 8 and 11 am

Across all the parks we cover, that three-hour window holds the most Hamerkop sightings with a recorded time, and about 9 in 10 of them come between 6 am and 6 pm: it is a daytime animal.

Is Samburu National Reserve the best place to see a Hamerkop?

33rd of 56

Of the 56 parks where we can rate Hamerkop sightings, Samburu National Reserve ranks 33rd at about 20%. The best odds are in Niokolo-Koba National Park (Senegal, about 80%), South Luangwa National Park (Zambia, about 60%) and Queen Elizabeth National Park (Uganda, about 60%). All parks ranked.

Which relatives of the Hamerkop live in Samburu National Reserve?

Same order: Pelecaniformes

The closest relatives of the Hamerkop that you can see in Samburu National Reserve (order Pelecaniformes, Pelicans, Herons, Ibises, and Allies) are Black-headed Heron (about 30%), Cattle Egret (about 20%) and Hadada (about 20%), with each one's daily chance of a sighting.

Where does the Hamerkop sighting chance come from?

GBIF citizen-science records

It is estimated from how often the Hamerkop is recorded against all the birds logged in Samburu National Reserve (176 verified sightings from 2019 to 2026), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.

← Back to Samburu National Reserve

Hamerkop

About the Hamerkop

Sounds

Recent sightings of Hamerkop in Samburu National Reserve

Global Distribution

Parks Where Found

Cities Where Found

Zoos & Centres Where Found

Closest Relatives at Samburu National Reserve

Black-headed Heron

Cattle Egret

Hadada

Grey Heron

Striated Heron

Great Egret

Goliath Heron

African Sacred Ibis

African Spoonbill

Black-crowned Night Heron

intermediate egret

Purple Heron

Before you go

What are the chances of seeing a Hamerkop in Samburu National Reserve?

When is the best time to see a Hamerkop in Samburu National Reserve?

What time of day is best to see a Hamerkop?

Is Samburu National Reserve the best place to see a Hamerkop?

Which relatives of the Hamerkop live in Samburu National Reserve?

Where does the Hamerkop sighting chance come from?