In Africa, there exists a peculiar bird scientifically known as the Scopus umbretta. It bears no resemblance to any other creature on Earth. The head of the Scopus umbretta resembles a hammer: its head is attached to a long, flat bill, and behind the head is a tuft of thick feathers. This distinctive appearance has earned it a rather evocative name: the hammer-headed bird.
This bird is a waterfowl, inhabiting areas along waterways that are rich in vegetation and in swampy regions. It has a body length of about 50 cm, with brown plumage, and black bill and legs.
Hammer-headed birds typically live solitary lives or in pairs, but at times, they may gather in flocks of 6-7 individuals.
Commonly, people assume they are primarily nocturnal, but ornithologists indicate that they are actually most active during the day. Like many other birds, the hammer-headed bird usually forages in the cool air of dawn and dusk. During the heat of the day, they prefer to remain perched in one spot on a tree. Their diet consists of amphibians, fish, insects, and crustaceans.
The construction of their nests is truly unique in the avian world. Nests are typically built on large branches near water. They are made from numerous twigs, leaves, mud, and sometimes even discarded human items. The nests of hammer-headed birds are quite large, with a diameter of over 1.5 meters and a hole for entry and exit measuring about 30 cm in diameter, directed downward. The nests weigh between 25-50 kg and are quite sturdy. One can stand on the entrance hole without it breaking. It takes Scopus umbretta between 3 weeks and 6 months to complete their nests.
Despite the time and effort put into building a solid nest, hammer-headed birds exhibit a rather perplexing behavior. They do not build just one nest, but construct 5-6 nests in their “territory,” yet they only utilize one of these nests.
This peculiar habit of the hammer-headed bird inadvertently benefits other bird species. Many birds that are lazy to build their own nests, such as owls, wild geese, and ducks, often take advantage of the empty nests of hammer-headed birds for shelter. Hammer-headed birds are quite gentle: even while they occupy their nest, sparrows and various small birds can share the space with them. Not only birds, but also snakes, genets, and monitor lizards might enter the nests of hammer-headed birds to sleep.
The hammer-headed bird has a unique courtship display, featuring intricate dances and alluring calls to attract a mate. Each breeding season, which lasts from 3-6 months, the female lays eggs that are incubated for about 30 days. The chicks remain in the nest for up to 50 days, with both the male and female participating in their care. Males and females look very similar, but the female is slightly smaller.
This unusual bird adapts well to the presence of humans, often entering homes as if they were their own nests. In Africa, it is believed that disturbing this bird brings misfortune. The Hottentots and Zulu people believe that the hammer-headed bird can predict someone’s impending death.
According to Zulu tradition, the hammer-headed bird often flies past the homes of those about to die and calls out three times, prompting the Zulu to throw stones at the bird when it flies by their homes. If it flies over someone’s head, it is interpreted as an omen of bad luck for that person on the same day.
The Hottentots also believe that the hammer-headed bird can see a falling star over an unfortunate house, and it will fly to that house to signal the homeowner.
