Meet The Master Nest Builders by Ryan Gulker

You’ve heard of master gardeners, now meet master nest builders.  A fascinating new addition to the Wings of Africa aviary in Africa Live! is the hammerkop.  The word hammerkop is Dutch for “hammer head” which describes the general shape of its head. This medium-sized, brown rather plain looking bird, with an oversized bill creates one of nature’s most fascinating pieces of animal architecture.  The hammerkop is known for the enormous nest it builds, made of sticks, grass and reeds, and is usually situated in a tree near water.  These huge structures can weigh over one hundred pounds, and can be over six feet wide.  These nest are much like an apartment building and may house many generations of hammerkops.  They may also be home to other species  as well.  Clay lines many chambers and the entrance hole faces downward.  We hope that sometime soon the new residents will build their own high-rise in the new Wings of Africa aviary.