2-6-2019 LINYANTI CAMP, BOTSWANA - VERREAUX'S EAGLE OWL (Bubo lacteus)

Verreaux's eagle-owl (Ketupa lactea), also commonly known as the milky eagle owl or giant eagle owl, is a member of the family Strigidae. This species is widespread in sub-Saharan Africa. A member of the genus Ketupa, it is the largest African owl, measuring up to 66 cm (26 in) in total length. This eagle-owl is a resident primarily of dry, wooded savanna. Verreaux's eagle-owl is mainly grey in color and is distinguishable from other large owls by its bright pink eyelids, a feature shared with no other owl species in the world.

Verreaux's eagle-owl is a highly opportunistic predator equipped with powerful talons. Just over half of its known diet is composed of mammals but equal or even greater numbers of birds and even insects may be hunted locally, along with any other appropriately sized prey that is encountered. This species is considered of Least Concern by IUCN as it occurs over a wide range and has shown some adaptability to human-based alterations and destruction of habitat and adaptability to diverse prey when a primary prey species declines in a region. As a large, highly territorial species of owl, it does, however, occur at fairly low densities and some regional declines have been reported.

The common name commemorates the French naturalist Jules Verreaux. The type specimen that was later described by Temminck at the Rijksmuseum van Natuurlijke Historie was collected by Verreaux while he was still in his teens.

Verreaux's eagle-owl is found through most of sub-Saharan Africa, though it is absent from most of the deep rainforests. The species is found at the highest densities in eastern and southern Africa. As this species avoids primary forests, it is found very spottily in west Africa. Their western distribution includes The Gambia, Senegal, Guinea and Sierra Leone.

Eastward from those countries to the Central African Republic, the species is distributed in a narrow transitional zone between the Sahara and rainforests. Seemingly isolated populations occur in central Nigeria and central Mali. In south-western Africa, they range up to as far north as the southern parts of the Republic of the Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, through most of Namibia (excluding the coastal regions) and northern South Africa. In east Africa, their distribution is more or less continuous from southern Sudan, Eritrea and inland Somalia down to South Africa as far as the region of the city of Durban.

This species inhabits mainly savanna with scattered trees and thorny vegetation. Verreaux's eagle-owls mainly inhabit rather dry regions, some bordering semi-arid areas. In central Mali, for example, near the extreme northwestern limit of the species range, the habitat that hosts these owls averages less than 55 cm (22 in) of rainfall annually. They also range into riverine forest adjacent to savanna and small, semi-open woodland surrounded by open country, though they are less likely to inhabit heavily wooded habitats. South African eagle-owls are not infrequently found around floodplains and marshes, which may provide the primary nesting habitat in some areas. In Uganda, they are largely associated with riparian woodlands. Verreaux's eagle-owl may live at nearly all elevations, from sea level to near the snow-line at around 3,000 m (9,800 ft) in elevation, such as in the Eastern Rift mountains. However, in general, they only sporadically inhabit rocky areas and so are generally very scarce in mountainous regions. The bushveld of southern Africa is near ideal habitat for Verreaux's eagle-owl and the species may be found at near peak numbers here. The species was historically rare to absent from the Kalahari Desert, but the introduction by man of invasive trees like conifers, eucalyptus and acacias, irrigation areas and prey species has allowed them to spottily occupy this region.

2-6-2019 LINYANTI CAMP, BOTSWANA - SOUTHERN CORDONBLEU (MALE) (Uraeginthus angolensis)

The blue waxbill (Uraeginthus angolensis), also called southern blue waxbill, blue-breasted waxbill, southern cordon-bleu, blue-cheeked cordon-bleu, blue-breasted cordon-bleu and Angola cordon-bleu, is a common species of estrildid finch found in Southern Africa. It is also relatively commonly kept as an aviary bird.

The male blue waxbill has powder-blue face, breast, rump, and flanks with pale brown upperparts. The female is paler than the male and the blue is confined to the rump, tail, head, and upper breast, with the rest of the underparts being buffy brown. They measure 12–13 cm in length.

The call is a soft 'seee-seee', often repeated as bird flits through the lower parts of bush and scrub.

The blue waxbill occurs in southern Africa from Cabinda and the Congo to Kenya and Tanzania in the east south to northern South Africa. It may have been introduced to the islands of São Tomé and to Zanzibar.

The blue waxbill occurs in a variety of habitats but generally prefers well-watered and semi-arid savanna, particularly where umbrella thorns Vachellia tortilis grow, also occupying natural growth in cultivated land, mopane Colosphermum mopane and forest edges.

Both sexes build the nest, an oval-shaped structure with a short entrance tunnel on the side, constructed of grass stems and inflorescences and lined with feathers. The nest is normally placed among the foliage of a bush or tree, especially umbrella thorn and sickle bush Dichrostachys cinerea. They often choose to build the nest near the nest of a wasp such as Belonogaster juncea; there is no evidence that wasps deter nest predators, but the birds may use the presence of wasp nests as a way of working out whether there are arboreal ants Pseudomyrmex spp in the tree, as if present they would deter nesting by any wasps or birds. Blue waxbills may also re-use the old nests of other birds, such as scarlet-chested sunbird, spectacled weaver or black-chested prinia, sometimes building a new structure on top of the original.

2-6-2019 LINYANTI CAMP, BOTSWANA - BROWN SNAKE EAGLE (Circaetus cinereus)

The brown snake-eagle is a large African bird of prey that specializes in hunting snakes, including venomous species like cobras and puff adders, which it kills by crushing their spine with its powerful feet. This solitary bird is found in sub-Saharan Africa in open woodlands and savannas. It has thick-scaled legs for protection against bites, hunts from an exposed perch, and typically lays only one egg per breeding season. 

Diet and hunting

Primary prey: The brown snake-eagle's diet consists mainly of snakes, both venomous and non-venomous, such as cobras, puff adders, and mambas. It will also eat other prey like lizards, monitor lizards, and small mammals.

Hunting technique: It hunts by perching on a high, exposed spot and scanning the ground below for prey. When it spots prey, it will swoop down to strike, using its powerful feet and talons to crush the snake's spine before it can bite.

Venom defense: It has heavily scaled legs that provide some protection against snake bites, but it is not immune and can sometimes be killed by its prey. 

Physical characteristics

Appearance: It is a large bird with a uniform brown head and body, yellow eyes, and a black beak. Its tail has narrow white barring.

Size:

Length: 68-75 cm

Wingspan: 1.6-1.75 m

Weight: Around 2 kg 

Habitat and distribution

Range: Found throughout sub-Saharan Africa.

Habitat: Prefers open, dense woodlands, savannas, and areas with low hills or gulleys. It avoids lowland forests and deserts.

Status: Listed as "least concern" by the IUCN due to its large range, even though it is not very common in most areas. 

Breeding and life cycle

Solitary nature: The brown snake-eagle is a solitary bird, though they may perch in pairs.

Nesting: It builds a small platform nest of sticks, sometimes reusing old nests from other birds.

Reproduction: Lays a single egg and incubates it for about 50 days. Both parents feed the chick, and the young bird fledges around 95-113 days old. 

2-6-2019 LINYANTI CAMP, BOTSWANA - ZAMBESI CRESTED BARBET (Trachyphonus vaillantii ssp. nobilis)

The crested barbet, Trachyphonus vaillantii, is a small, vibrantly colored bird, easily recognized by its thick bill and speckled plumage. Its face is a mosaic of yellow and red, adorned with a modest black crest. The belly mirrors the face with yellow and red speckles, while the wings are black with white dots. A striking black band encircles its neck. The bird's overall yellow hue, peppered with black and white feathers and red at the body's end, provides excellent camouflage in its natural bush habitat. The crested barbet's call is a distinctive trill.

When identifying the crested barbet, look for its unique coloration and markings. The combination of a yellow and red speckled face, a small black crest, and a broad black neck band are key features. The bird's trilling call can also serve as an auditory clue to its presence.

The crested barbet thrives in a variety of environments, including forests, savannahs, suburban gardens, woodland thickets, and areas near watercourses.

This species is widely distributed across sub-Saharan Africa, with sightings confirmed in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eswatini, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Crested barbets are typically observed alone or in pairs. They exhibit a preference for foraging on the ground but are also known to vocalize from exposed branches. Their flight is limited and typically consists of short bursts. These birds roost in tree cavities and are highly territorial, often aggressively defending their space against other birds and even larger threats like rats and snakes.

The male crested barbet is renowned for its continuous trill, a call that can persist for extended durations, serving as a vocal beacon within its habitat.

Crested barbets are monogamous and territorial during the breeding season. They nest in tree holes or logs, with territory size varying by habitat. Their breeding season spans from September to December, during which they may lay one to five eggs at daily intervals. Incubation, primarily by the female, lasts between 13 and 17 days starting from the second or third egg. The hatchlings are altricial, being naked and blind at birth, and are fed insects by both parents. After about 31 days, the fledglings leave the nest, and up to five broods may be raised in a single season.

The crested barbet's diet is omnivorous, consisting of insects, other birds' eggs, fruits, and occasionally small mammals like mice.

The IUCN Red List classifies the crested barbet as Least Concern, indicating that the species does not currently face any significant threats to its survival.

2-6-2019 LINYANTI CAMP, BOTSWANA - COMMON IMPALA (MALE) (Aepyceros melampus ssp. melampus)

The impala (Aepyceros melampus) is a medium-sized antelope that is found in Africa. It was first described to European audiences by German zoologist Hinrich Lichtenstein in 1812. Active mainly during the day, the impala may be gregarious or territorial depending upon the climate and geography. The impala is known for two characteristic leaps that constitute an anti-predator strategy.

Impala is an elegant and magnificent species of antelope. The animal has slender body with the identifying "M"-like marking on the rear. This medium-sized antelope possesses thin, pointed horns with tips, lying far apart from each other. Males of this species are identified by the characteristic "S"-like horns. The elegant limbs of these animals have scent glands behind the ankles. The overall coloration of their fur is red-brown with paler sides. In addition, they have black and white colored areas on their body. Thus, the tail, belly, chin, lips, inside ears as well as the lines above the eyes are colored with white. Meanwhile, black bands cover their thighs, tail, forehead and ear tips.

Impalas are distributed throughout the northeastern part of South Africa, Angola, southern Rwanda, Uganda, and Kenya. Close proximity to a water source is an important life condition for these animals. Generally, they prefer woodland with little undergrowth as well as low to medium-height grassland.

Impalas have polygynous mating system, where each male mates with a number of females. The period of peak breeding activity is March-May. During this period, pregnant females live in isolation to give birth. The gestation period lasts from 194 to 200 days, yielding a single calf, which weighs about 5kgs (11 lbs). After a few days, the calf and the female rejoin the herd. Then, after a while, the calf joins a crèche of other young impalas. They are weaned at 4-5 months old. Male impalas reach reproductive maturity at 1 year of age, while females are ready to breed when they are between 1 and 2 years old. Becoming reproductively mature, they, however, do not rush to establish territories. They typically start mating only at 4 years old.

These antelopes are both diurnal and nocturnal. They are most active just after sunrise and before sunset, socializing and moving with their herd, whereas, during the nighttime hours, impalas usually lie down and ruminate. Female impalas and their offspring gather into herds, containing from 15 to 100 individuals. The home range of each herd covers a territory, varying from 80 to 180 hectares. During the wet season, females become highly territorial, defending home ranges of their herds. On the other hand, young males form bachelor, non-territorial herds of up to 30 individuals. During the dry season, male and female herds can often be seen mixed together. Home ranges of mature breeding males vary from season to season. Thus, during the breeding season, they usually have smaller home ranges, which they fiercely defend. Males use a wide variety of methods to defend their home range, including fighting, tail-raising, chasing, roaring, erect posture as well as forehead marking and forehead rubbing.

The animals presently suffer from the fragmentation of their range due to the development of human settlements. In addition, roads such as the Serengeti Highway in Tanzania have an extremely negative effect, making it difficult for scattered migrating populations to move between parks, where the antelopes feed, mate and give birth. In addition, populations in South Africa are exposed to hunting for their meat by local people.

2-6-2019 LINYANTI CAMP, BOTSWANA - CHACMA BABOON (Papio ursinus)

Chacma baboons are found throughout southern Africa, ranging from South Africa north to Angola, Zambia, and Mozambique. They live in diverse habitats from woodlands to savannas, steppes, and sub-deserts. Chacma baboons are found in the Kalahari Desert as well as on the alpine slopes of the Drakensberg. They usually sleep on hills, cliffs, or large trees and during the day, avoid arid areas with a lack of water.

The Chacma baboon (Papio ursinus) is a member of the Old World monkey family. It is one of the largest of all monkeys. Located primarily in southern Africa, the chacma baboon has a wide variety of social behaviors, including a dominance hierarchy, collective foraging, adoption of young by females, and friendship pairings. In general, the species is not threatened, but hunting, trapping, and accidents kill or remove many baboons from the wild, thereby reducing their numbers and disrupting their social structure.

2-6-2019 LINYANTI CAMP, BOTSWANA - SOUTHERN CORDONBLEU (MALE) (Uraeginthus angolensis)

The blue waxbill (Uraeginthus angolensis), also called southern blue waxbill, blue-breasted waxbill, southern cordon-bleu, blue-cheeked cordon-bleu, blue-breasted cordon-bleu and Angola cordon-bleu, is a common species of estrildid finch found in Southern Africa. It is also relatively commonly kept as an aviary bird.

The blue waxbill has powder-blue face, breast, rump, and flanks with pale brown upperparts. The female is paler than the male and the blue is confined to the rump, tail, head, and upper breast, with the rest of the underparts being buffy brown. They measure 12–13 cm in length.

The call is a soft 'seee-seee', often repeated as bird flits through the lower parts of bush and scrub.

The blue waxbill occurs in southern Africa from Cabinda and the Congo to Kenya and Tanzania in the east south to northern South Africa. It may have been introduced to the islands of São Tomé and to Zanzibar.

The blue waxbill occurs in a variety of habitats but generally prefers well-watered and semi-arid savanna, particularly where umbrella thorns Vachellia tortilis grow, also occupying natural growth in cultivated land, mopane Colosphermum mopane and forest edges.

2-6-2019 LINYANTI CAMP, BOTSWANA - GOLDEN TAILED WOODPECKER (Campethera abingoni)

The golden-tailed woodpecker (Campethera abingoni) is a species of bird in the family Picidae. Its specific name commemorates the 5th Earl of Abingdon. It belongs to a species complex that includes the Knysna woodpecker to the south of its range, and the mostly allopatric Mombasa woodpecker to the northeast, with which it perhaps hybridizes.

It is present in coastal forest, miombo, mopane and acacia woodlands. It shows a preference for riparian woodland, particularly in the dryer parts of southern Africa. It may intensively forage small areas in the lower to middle strata of trees. It establishes fairly large territories of 10 to 15 ha, and can cover some distance between foraging sites.

It obtains most food by probing and gleaning, but also hammers dead or infected wood rather more frequently than other Campethera species. It feeds mostly on arboreal ants and termites, but also takes millipedes, wood-boring larvae and leaf-feeding moth larvae. It occurs alongside the Cardinal woodpecker which to some extent exploits thinner branches.

Very widespread in woodlands or forest south of the equator, and very localized north of it. It is found in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eswatini, Ivory Coast, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

They nest during early summer. Both sexes excavate the nest, usually on the underside of a branch in the lower to middle level of a tree. Two to three glossy white eggs are laid, and the parents take turns to incubate them. The male incubates at night. The incubation period is about 13 days, and the chicks are fed regurgitated food by both parents. Chicks leave the nest after 22 to 25 days. Their nests are parasitized by various species of honeyguide.

2-6-2019 LINYANTI CAMP, BOTSWANA - BARN OWL (Tyto alba

The barn owl (Tyto alba), a medium-sized and pale-colored owl, is distinguished by its long wings and short, square tail. Across its subspecies, it exhibits considerable variation in size and color, typically measuring 33 to 39 cm in length with a wingspan of 80 to 95 cm. The plumage on the head and back ranges from grey to brown, while the underparts can be white to brown, sometimes speckled with dark markings. The face is heart-shaped and predominantly white across most subspecies.

To identify the barn owl in flight, look for its distinctive heart-shaped face, black eyes, and pale body. The tail shape helps distinguish it from other owls, and the undulating flight pattern is characteristic. The legs and feet are long and slender, aiding in silent flight and maneuverability.

Barn owls favor open habitats such as farmland or grassland with interspersed woodland, typically below 2,000 meters in altitude. They are often found hunting along woodland edges or in rough grass strips next to pastures.

This cosmopolitan species is found on every continent except Antarctica, avoiding only polar and desert regions, Asia north of the Himalayas, and some Pacific islands. It is generally sedentary, with young dispersing from natal sites along river corridors.

2-6-2019 LINYANTI CAMP, BOTSWANA - AFRICAN WATTLED LAPWING (Vanellus senegallus)

The African Wattled Lapwing (Vanellus senegallus) is a distinctive, large brownish bird known for its bright yellow facial wattles with red bases, living in moist African grasslands, marshes, and floodplains, feeding on insects, and making loud "peep-peep" calls; they form monogamous pairs, build shallow ground nests, and are non-migratory residents, though they show nomadic movements seasonally, generally considered Least Concern globally despite local habitat threats like afforestation. 

Appearance & Identification

Wattles: Large, bright yellow wattles with distinctive fleshy red bases (smaller in juveniles).

Plumage: Brown back, black crown, white forehead, yellow legs and beak, white tail with black tip.

In Flight: Shows black flight feathers, brown coverts, and a white wing bar. 

Habitat & Diet

Habitat: Prefers wet areas like marshes, floodplains, lake edges, but also found in dry savanna, cultivated fields, and burnt grasslands.

Diet: Primarily insects (termites, locusts, beetles, caterpillars), worms, and some grass seeds, foraging on the ground. 

Behavior & Reproduction

Social: Forms monogamous pairs, often for life, and lives in groups.

Nesting: Builds shallow scrapes on the ground; the male selects the site, and the female chooses where to lay.

Vocalization: Known for loud "peep-peep-peep" calls, especially in flight, used for alarms and territory defense.

Activity: Forages by walking slowly; exhibits nocturnal feeding under full moons. 

Status & Range

Distribution: Common across most of sub-Saharan Africa, outside rainforests.

Status: Globally listed as Least Concern (LC) by IUCN, but faces threats from habitat loss and hunting in some areas. 

2-6-2019 LINYANTI CAMP, BOTSWANA - NILE MONITOR (Varanus niloticus)

The Nile monitor (Varanus niloticus) is a large member of the monitor family (Varanidae) found throughout most of Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in drier regions, and along the Nile River and its tributaries in East Africa. Additionally, there are modern, invasive populations in North America. The population found in West African forests and savannahs is sometimes recognized as a separate species, the West African Nile monitor (V. stellatus). While it is dwarfed by its larger relatives, such as the Komodo dragon, the Asian water monitor or the crocodile monitor, it is still one of the largest lizards in the world, reaching (and even surpassing) Australia's perentie in size. Other common names include the African small-grain lizard, as well as iguana and various forms derived from it, such as guana, water leguaan or river leguaan (leguan, leguaan, and likkewaan mean monitor lizard in South African English, and can be used interchangeably).

A feral population of Nile monitors (descended from escaped or intentionally-released pets) has become established in several locations in South Florida. In addition to any illegally-released animals, it is speculated that during particularly intense hurricane seasons in Florida, many reptiles potentially escape when their enclosures are damaged or inadvertently unlocked; as Florida has a semi-tropical to tropical climate, many reptiles are housed outdoors, and poorly-secured enclosures may become damaged during bad storms. Along with Nile monitors, Florida is infamous for its feral populations of agamas, Argentine black and white tegus, Burmese pythons, green iguanas, Madagascar giant day geckos, and panther and veiled chameleons, among others. Many of these species are thought to be descendants of hurricane escapees.

2-6-2019 LINYANTI CAMP, BOTSWANA - AFRICAN LION (Panthera leo)

The lion (Panthera leo) is a large cat of the genus Panthera, native to Africa and India. It has a muscular, broad-chested body; a short, rounded head; round ears; and a dark, hairy tuft at the tip of its tail. It is sexually dimorphic; adult male lions are larger than females and have a prominent mane. It is a social species, forming groups called prides. A lion's pride consists of a few adult males, related females, and cubs. Groups of female lions usually hunt together, preying mostly on medium-sized and large ungulates. The lion is an apex and keystone predator.

Among felids, the lion is second only to the tiger in size. The size and weight of adult lions vary across its range and habitats. 

The lion inhabits grasslands, savannahs, and shrublands. It is usually more diurnal than other wild cats, but when persecuted, it adapts to being active at night and at twilight. During the Neolithic period, the lion ranged throughout Africa and Eurasia, from Southeast Europe to India, but it has been reduced to fragmented populations in sub-Saharan Africa and one population in western India. It has been listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List since 1996 because populations in African countries have declined by about 43% since the early 1990s. Lion populations are untenable outside designated protected areas. Although the cause of the decline is not fully understood, habitat loss and conflicts with humans are the greatest causes for concern.

One of the most widely recognised animal symbols in human culture, the lion has been extensively depicted in sculptures and paintings, on national flags, and in literature and films. Lions have been kept in menageries since the time of the Roman Empire and have been a key species sought for exhibition in zoological gardens across the world since the late 18th century. Cultural depictions of lions have occurred worldwide, particularly has a symbol of power and royalty.

African lions live in scattered populations across sub-Saharan Africa. The lion prefers grassy plains and savannahs, scrub bordering rivers, and open woodlands with bushes. It rarely enters closed forests. On Mount Elgon, the lion has been recorded up to an elevation of 3,600 m (11,800 ft) and close to the snow line on Mount Kenya. Savannahs with an annual rainfall of 300 to 1,500 mm (12 to 59 in) make up the majority of lion habitat in Africa, estimated at 3,390,821 km2 (1,309,203 sq mi) at most, but remnant populations are also present in tropical moist forests in West Africa and montane forests in East Africa. The Asiatic lion now survives only in and around Gir National Park in Gujarat, western India. Its habitat is a mixture of dry savannah forest and very dry, deciduous scrub forest.

2-6-2019 LINYANTI CAMP, BOTSWANA - CHOBE DWARF GECKO (Lygodactylus chobiensis)

The Okavango dwarf gecko or Chobe dwarf gecko (Lygodactylus chobiensis) is a species of gecko found along the Chobe and Zambesi Rivers and into the Okavango Delta, and into Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Zambia.

A large dwarf gecko (normally 25–30 mm in snout–vent length) with males being slightly larger than the females. It has a blue-grey back covered with large pale spots and a yellow belly. The male throat may be black or pale yellow and has two dark chevrons.

They mature at around 9 months and have a lifespan of 18 months.

The Okavango dwarf gecko is normally arboreal and can found on tree trunks and sometimes buildings of the tropical savanna and flooded grasslands. It prefers to forage high up in trees and can often be found on acacia, baobab and mopane trees.

Their diet is mainly ants and termites.

Reproduction occurs throughout the year and two hard-shelled eggs (5 × 6.5 mm) are laid every 8 weeks beneath the tree bark or in disused termite mound. The eggs hatch in about 125 days and the young geckos are about 30 mm in length.

2-6-2019 LINYANTI CAMP, BOTSWANA - AFRICAN FISH EAGLE (Haliaeetus vocifer)

The African fish eagle, or African sea eagle, is a majestic bird of prey that graces the skies of sub-Saharan Africa. It is a symbol of national pride, being the national bird of Malawi, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. This raptor is known for its striking appearance, with a mostly brown body contrasted by a snow-white head, breast, and tail. The face is featherless and a vivid yellow, matching the color of its formidable, hooked beak, tipped in black. The African fish eagle's eyes are a deep, dark brown, and its powerful black wings carry it effortlessly over open waters.

Adult African fish eagles are unmistakable with their white heads and chests, brown bodies, and large black wings. Females are larger than males, with wingspans reaching up to 2.4 meters, compared to the 2-meter span of males. Juveniles can be identified by their overall brown plumage and paler eyes. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism, with females being heavier, weighing between 3.2 to 3.6 kilograms, while males weigh between 2.0 to 2.5 kilograms.

These eagles are typically found near freshwater lakes, reservoirs, rivers, and sometimes along coastlines at river mouths or lagoons. They thrive in a variety of habitats, including grasslands, swamps, marshes, tropical rainforests, and even desert-bordering coastlines.

The African fish eagle is indigenous to sub-Saharan Africa, with a presence in most areas south of the Sahara Desert. It is commonly seen in regions like the Orange River, the Okavango Delta, and around Lake Victoria and other large Rift Valley lakes.

The African fish eagle is known for its iconic, evocative call, which many consider the essence of Africa. It is a territorial bird, often seen perched high in a tree, surveying its domain. When hunting, it exhibits remarkable prowess, swooping down to snatch fish from the water with its taloned feet.

The call of the African fish eagle is a high-pitched and clear "weee-ah, hyo-hyo" or "heee-ah, heeah-heeah," with the male's call being particularly shrill.

Breeding occurs during the dry season, with pairs believed to mate for life. They maintain and reuse multiple nests, which can grow quite large over time. The female lays one to three eggs, primarily white with reddish speckles, and both parents share incubation duties. Chicks fledge at around 70 to 75 days old and remain dependent on their parents for up to three months.

The African fish eagle primarily feeds on fish, which it catches by swooping from a perch. It has specialized structures on its toes called spiricules to help grasp slippery prey. While fish are the mainstay of its diet, it also consumes waterbirds, small turtles, baby crocodiles, frogs, insects, and occasionally mammals. It is also known to engage in kleptoparasitism, stealing prey from other birds.

12-6-2019 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - SHORT HORNED GRASSHOPPER (Genus Calliptamus)

Calliptamus is a genus of short-horned grasshoppers in the family Acrididae, widely distributed across Europe, Asia, and Africa. Members are often considered significant agricultural pests due to their polyphagous nature and ability to form large, damaging swarms. 

Physical Appearance: These grasshoppers are typically medium-sized with a basic coloration that varies from gray to brownish-reddish, often marked with small dark spots. A key identification feature is the reddish or pinkish coloration on the hind wings and the inner side of the hind femora, which is especially visible during flight.

Sexual Dimorphism: The genus exhibits significant sexual dimorphism; females are considerably larger than males. Males typically grow up to 14–26 mm, while females can reach 21–40 mm in length.

Habitat and Distribution: Species of Calliptamus thrive in arid, sunny areas and fixed dunes. Their range extends across the northern Palearctic realm to Japan, the Mediterranean Basin, and Africa.

Diet and Pest Status: They are polyphagous, meaning they feed on a variety of plants, with a strong preference for legumes, but they also infest cereals and grapevines. Species like the Italian locust (C. italicus) can exhibit gregarious behavior and form swarms (locust plagues) under certain conditions, causing substantial economic losses to crops.

1-6-2019 LINYANTI CAMP, BOTSWANA - CHAPMAN'S ZEBRA (Equus quagga ssp. chapmani)

Chapman's zebra (Equus quagga chapmani), named after explorer James Chapman, is a subspecies of the plains zebra from southern Africa.

Chapman's zebra are native to savannas and similar habitats of north-east South Africa, north to Zimbabwe, west into Botswana, the Caprivi Strip in Namibia, and southern Angola. Like the other subspecies of plains zebra, it is a herbivore that exists largely on a diet of grasses, and undertakes a migration during the wet season to find fresh sources of food and to avoid lions, which are their primary predator. Chapman's zebras are distinguished from other subspecies by subtle variations in their stripes. When compared to other equids in the region Chapman's zebras are relatively abundant in number, however its population is now in decline largely because of human factors such as poaching and farming. Studies and breeding programs have been undertaken with the hope of arresting this decline, with a focus on ensuring zebras bred in captivity are equipped for life in the wild, and that non-domesticated populations are able to freely migrate. A problem faced by some of these programs is that captive Chapman's zebra populations experience higher incidence of diagnosed diseases than non-domesticated populations because they live longer, and so are less likely to die in the wild from predation or a lack of food or water.

Chapman's zebras are single-hoofed mammals that are a part of the odd-toed ungulate order. They differ from other zebras in that their stripes continue past their knees, and that they also have somewhat brown stripes in addition to the black and white stripes that are typically associated with zebras. The pastern is also not completely black on the lower half. Each zebra has its own unique stripe pattern that also includes shadow stripes. When foals are born, they have brown stripes, and in some cases, adults do not develop the black colouration on their hides and keep their brown stripes.

In the wild Chapman's zebra live on average to 25 years of age, however that can live to be up to 38 years of age in captivity. Males usually weigh 270–360 kg (600–800 lb) and stand at 120–130 cm (48–52 in) tall. Females weigh about 230–320 kg (500–700 lb) and stand as tall as the males. Foals weigh 25-50 kg (55-88 lb) at birth. Adult zebras can run at up to 56 kilometres per hour (35 miles per hour) and have strong eyesight and hearing which are essential evolutionary defence mechanisms.

1-6-2019 LINYANTI CAMP, BOTSWANA - MARABOU STORK (Leptoptilos crumenifer)

The Marabou Stork, Leptoptilos crumenifer, is a formidable presence in the avian world, with its massive stature and striking appearance. It stands tall at approximately 152 centimeters and can weigh up to 9 kilograms. Its wingspan is a sight to behold, stretching up to 3.7 meters, rivaling even the Andean condor in breadth. The marabou is adorned with a black back, contrasting white underparts, and a distinctive bare head and neck. Its bill is robust, and it sports a pink gular sac at its throat, a neck ruff, and white legs. Both sexes appear similar, though the female is typically smaller, and juveniles are browner with a less pronounced bill.

To identify the Marabou Stork, look for its large size, bare head, and neck, along with its black back and white underparts. The bird's enormous bill and pink throat sac are also key characteristics. When in flight, note that unlike most storks, the Marabou Stork flies with its neck retracted, resembling a heron.

The Marabou Stork is native to sub-Saharan Africa, where it can be found in a variety of habitats, both wet and arid. It often resides near human habitation, particularly around landfill sites.

1-6-2019 LINYANTI CAMP, BOTSWANA - HAMERKOP (Scopus umbretta)

The Hamerkop (Scopus umbretta), a medium-sized wading bird, is the sole representative of its genus and family. Its distinctive hammer-shaped head, complete with a long bill and a rear crest, has inspired its name from the Afrikaans term for "hammerhead." Exhibiting a uniform brown plumage, this bird is a familiar sight across Africa, Madagascar, and parts of Arabia.

Adult Hamerkops are characterized by their brown plumage with a subtle purple sheen on the back. The tail features faint barring of a darker brown. Both sexes appear similar, and juveniles resemble the adults. The bill, long and slightly hooked, is particularly compressed and thin, especially towards the lower mandible. Initially brown in young birds, the bill darkens to black upon fledging.

Hamerkops are found in a plethora of wetland habitats, ranging from estuaries, lakesides, and fish ponds to riverbanks and rocky coasts. They have also adapted to human-altered environments, often seen in villages and agricultural areas.

This species is widespread across sub-Saharan Africa, Madagascar, and coastal southwestern Arabia. It is generally sedentary, with some local movements observed.

Active predominantly during daylight, Hamerkops may rest during the midday heat and exhibit some crepuscular activity. They are known for their peculiar jerky walk, with their head and neck moving in sync with each step.

When solitary, the Hamerkop is relatively quiet, save for a shrill flight-call. In contrast, when in groups, it becomes more vocal, producing a variety of cackles and nasal rattles. The "yip-purr" call is a notable social vocalization, often accompanied by wing flapping.

Hamerkops are renowned for their massive nests, which are sturdy enough to support a human's weight. These nests, built by both parents, feature an internal chamber for egg-laying and are often constructed in tree forks or on human structures. Both parents share incubation duties and chick rearing.

A generalist feeder, the Hamerkop's diet includes fish, amphibians, shrimps, insects, and occasionally rodents. It hunts in shallow waters, using both sight and touch, and is known to be adaptable in its feeding strategies.

The Hamerkop is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, with a stable population trend and widespread local abundance in its range.

1-6-2019 LINYANTI CAMP, BOTSWANA - PALE EMERALD SPOTTED WOOD DOVE (Turtur chalcospilos ssp. zambesiensis)

The emerald-spotted wood dove or emerald-spotted dove (Turtur chalcospilos) is a bird of the family Columbidae, resident across eastern and southern Africa. It is a species of open drier deciduous woodland and second growth. It is absent from evergreen rainforests and semidesert areas.

At Hluhluwe-Umfolozi, South Africa, showing the bluish-emerald wing spots

Calling in woodland during autumn

The emerald-spotted wood dove is a small plump pigeon, typically 20 cm in length. Its back, hindneck, wings, and tail are pale grey-brown, and the folded wings have green metallic patches. There are blackish bands on the lower back and tail. The forehead, crown, and nape are bluish-grey, fading to pinkish-grey on the throat. The underparts are mauve-pink, becoming whiter on the belly.

The bill of this dove is blackish with a red base. The sexes are similar, but the female may be slightly duller than the male. The immature has duller green spots and buff fringes to the feathers. When flying, the black-billed wood dove is told from this species by its bright chestnut underwings.

The call is in three parts: two soft long coos, followed by a series of slow descending coos lasting 10 seconds, and concluding with 4 seconds of rapid coos, which decrease in volume.

This species shows some geographical variation in plumage, but differences are clinal, and emerald-spotted wood dove is now considered to be monotypic.

The emerald-spotted wood dove builds a flimsy stick nest in a tree or shrub, and lays two cream-coloured eggs. Both sexes incubate for 13–17 days to hatching, and feed the squabs for 13–17 days to fledging. Many young birds are taken by mongooses and shrikes.

The emerald-spotted wood dove is not gregarious, but flocks may form at waterholes. This species usually forages on the ground for grass and other small seeds.