A NEW addition to Marwell Zoo's hamerkop family has fledged the nest six weeks after hatching in the walkthrough aviary.

The hamerkop chick is already quite difficult to distinguish from its father, Jack Hamer(kop), and Mother, MC Hamerkop, as they grow very quickly in the first few weeks of their life.

Keen observers may note slightly fluffier feathers and a less sleek, fluffier crest on the youngster, who has been named Buxton.

Keepers aren’t sure of the new arrival’s sex just yet but report that the chick is doing well and gaining confidence since fledging the nest on July 17.

Cameras in the aviary managed to capture the moment Buxton first fledged the nest and flew to join parents on a tree branch.

In the wild hamerkops are found in tropical Africa, Madagascar and south-west Arabia. It gets its name from the Afrikaans word for “hammerhead” because of the distinctive shape of its head.

They live in wetlands enjoying shallow waters, rivers, streams and pools where they fish for tadpoles, shrimp, small fish and frogs whilst wading. Insects and rodents often also form part of their diet.

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They build enormous nests which can be almost 5ft across, often in the fork between the trunk of a tree and a branch, which are made from sticks and mud.

Jonathan Newton, senior animal keeper – birds, said: “On May 25 after approximately 30 days of incubation a hamerkop chick hatched in the walkthrough aviary. 

“Hamerkops build a large nest built primarily with sticks and mud but items such as weeds and other items they find are also added. 

“The nest can take from three to six weeks to build with the entrance hole situated near the base of the nest which allows just enough room for the adult birds to fly in and out.

“Both parents care for the chick and will continue to do so for the first few weeks after fledging.”

Hamerkops are listed on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s Red List as Least Concern and populations are currently thought to be stable.

For more information about our hamerkops and all the other rare and endangered animals at Marwell visit marwell.org.uk.