Friday, April 28, 2006
Hammerkop II
LIFE CYCLE:
A sedentary species which remains in a well-defined territory, although some pairs will move to normally dry areas when the seasonal rains fill dry holes and ditches. Hammerheads are also to be seen in group ceremonies, usually near a nest. As many as ten birds may call loudly while running round each other in circles, a male sometimes mounting a crouching female and pretending to copulate. Crests are raised, wings fluttered and a chorus of cries continues for several minutes. True mating is usually done at the nest site, using displays similar to those used during larger gatherings. The 3-7 whitish eggs are incubated for about 30 days by both parents (although very frequently partly incubated clutches will be abandoned). The young make their first flight at about 7 weeks but may return nightly for up to a month thereafter to roost in the nest.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Forbes, Peter. 19985. Flightless Birds and Birds of Prey, Torstar Books,
A sedentary species which remains in a well-defined territory, although some pairs will move to normally dry areas when the seasonal rains fill dry holes and ditches. Hammerheads are also to be seen in group ceremonies, usually near a nest. As many as ten birds may call loudly while running round each other in circles, a male sometimes mounting a crouching female and pretending to copulate. Crests are raised, wings fluttered and a chorus of cries continues for several minutes. True mating is usually done at the nest site, using displays similar to those used during larger gatherings. The 3-7 whitish eggs are incubated for about 30 days by both parents (although very frequently partly incubated clutches will be abandoned). The young make their first flight at about 7 weeks but may return nightly for up to a month thereafter to roost in the nest.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Forbes, Peter. 19985. Flightless Birds and Birds of Prey, Torstar Books,
# posted by saffron @ 3:09 AM 
