''Scopus'' is a genus of wading birds containing the
hamerkop
The hamerkop (''Scopus umbretta'') is a medium-sized wading bird. It is the only living species in the genus ''Scopus'' and the family Scopidae. The species and family was long thought to sit with the Ciconiiformes but is now placed with the ...
''(Scopus umbretta)'' and its extinct
Pliocene
The Pliocene ( ; also Pleiocene) is the epoch in the geologic time scale that extends from 5.333 million to 2.58[Scopus xenopus
''Scopus xenopus'' is an extinct species of hamerkop that lived during the Pliocene of South Africa
South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of c ...](_blank)
''. This genus is the sole representative of the family Scopidae.
Taxonomy
Hamerkops were traditionally included in the
Ciconiiformes
Storks are large, long-legged, long-necked wading birds with long, stout bills. They belong to the family called Ciconiidae, and make up the order Ciconiiformes . Ciconiiformes previously included a number of other families, such as herons a ...
, but are now thought to be closer to the
Pelecaniformes
The Pelecaniformes are an order of medium-sized and large waterbirds found worldwide. As traditionally—but erroneously—defined, they encompass all birds that have feet with all four toes webbed. Hence, they were formerly also known by such n ...
. Recent studies have found that its closest relatives are the
pelicans and
shoebill
The shoebill (''Balaeniceps rex'') also known as the whalebill, whale-headed stork or shoe-billed stork, is a very large long-legged wading bird. It derives its name from its enormous shoe-shaped bill. It has a somewhat stork-like overall form ...
.
References
{{Taxonbar, from=Q15222474
Bird genera
Bird genera with one living species
Taxa named by Mathurin Jacques Brisson
Pelecaniformes