Zoo database

Hamerkop

Hamerkop

Natural diet Hamerkop

The hamerkop is a carnivorous bird that consumes fish and amphibians as the main part of their diet. They also consume small rodents, crustaceans and insects. Their diet is largely dependent on the regional availability.

Fish
Fish
Insects
Insects
Invertebrates / crustaceans
Invertebrates / crustaceans
Vertebrates
Vertebrates

Feeding advice Hamerkop

Feed quantity per day

10-15%

Sample percentage calculation

If an animal weighs 0,5 kg and eats 10% of its body weight, it will get
 
0,5 x 0,1 = 0,05 kg feed in total per day

Feed composition

29% Meat and whole prey
70% Fish products
1% Supplements

Proportions (fresh product)

0,29 x 0,05 kg = 15 g meat and whole prey
0,7 x 0,05 kg = 35 g fish products
0,01 x 0,05 kg = 1 g supplements

Diet Suggestions

Recommended

Variety of fish

Whole fish

Whole prey (mice or chicks)

Supplements

In moderation

Variety of insects

Not recommended

Bread

Common diseases

An unbalanced diet may result in one of these more commonly occurring diseases/conditions:

  • Metabolic bone disease
  • Renal gout

Additional advice

  • Divide the “Feed quantity per day” over at least two feeding moments per day.
  • Small fish can be offered whole, but larger fish should be cut into smaller pieces.
  • When feeding thawed whole fish, then supplementation is recommended.
  • The supplements should be given according to the appropriate dosage that is mentioned on the labelling.
  • Avoid feeding bread as the high starch content may cause gastro-intestinal disturbances.
  • Stimulate foraging behaviour by using feeding puzzles and scatter feeding (read more about feed enrichment and foraging behaviour).