Nest site selection in the Hamerkop in Lesotho. - G. Kopij. - Berkut. 14 (1). 2005. - P. 56-58.
During the years 1998–2001, 26 occupied Hamerkop nests were found in Lesotho, a mountainous country in southern Africa, which is avoid of indigenous trees. All nests were situated in a close proximity to water and human settlements. Most nests were located in exotic trees, such as Salix babylonica (42.3 %), Populus canescens (26.9 %) and Eucalyptus spp. (7.7 %). Two unusual nesting sites were recorded: one nest was located on a rock projection and other one in a window of a mill building. Nest height ranged from 2 to 16 m (x = 7.7, n = 26). Nest sites in lowlands were significantly different from those in the highlands. Two cases were recorded where Hamerkop nests were usurped by Tyto alba. [English].
Key words: Hamerkop, Scopus umbretta, South Africa, breeding, nest.
Address: Dep. of Zoology & Ecology, Agricultural University of Wroclaw, ul. Kozuchowska 5b, 51–631 Wroclaw, Poland; e-mail: kopij@ozi.ar.wroc.pl.