Hamerkop "skimming" for platannas

The surface of Galpin Dam is often broken in certain areas by hundreds of circular ripples. If you look a bit closer, you'll see that they're caused by platannas popping up for air. We stopped for a break near the edge of the dam and watched a hamerkop take flight over the bobbing amphibians. To my astonishment, it then swooped across the the surface of the water and scooped up a platanna in its bill! It was just like an African skimmer picking a fish out of the water. This is the first time I've seen a hamerkop behaving like this. Usually they wade at the water's edge and ambush their prey from above.

Posted: Kwandwe by Phill Steffny, Date: 31 May 2008