27-5-2019 SOMALISA CAMP, ZIMBABWE - SOUTHERN GREATER KUDU (MALE) (Tragelaphus Strepsiceros)

The greater kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) is a large woodland antelope, found throughout eastern and southern Africa. Despite occupying such widespread territory, they are sparsely populated in most areas due to declining habitat, deforestation, and poaching. The greater kudu is one of two species commonly known as kudu, the other being the lesser kudu, T. imberbis.

Kudu (/kuːduː/ koo-DOO), or koodoo, is the Khoikhoi name for this antelope. Trag- (Greek) denotes a goat and elaphos (Greek) a deer. Strepho (Greek) means 'twist', and strepsis is 'twisting'. Keras (Greek) refers to the horn of the animal.

Greater kudus have a narrow body with long legs, and their coats can range from brown/bluish grey to reddish brown. They possess between 4 and 12 vertical white stripes along their torso. The head tends to be darker in colour than the rest of the body, and exhibits a small white chevron which runs between the eyes. Greater kudu bulls tend to be much larger than the cows, and vocalize much more, utilizing low grunts, clucks, humming, and gasping. The bulls also have beards running along their throats, and large horns with two and a half twists, which, were they to be straightened, would reach an average length of 120 cm (47 in), with the record being 187.64 cm (73.87 in). They diverge slightly as they slant back from the head. The horns do not begin to grow until the bull is between the ages of 6–12 months. The horns form the first spiral rotation at around 2 years of age, and not reaching the full two and a half rotations until they are 6 years old; occasionally they may even have 3 full turns.

The greater kudu is one of the largest species of antelope, being slightly smaller than the bongo. Bulls weigh 190–270 kg (420–600 lb), with a maximum of 315 kg (694 lb), and stand up to 160 cm (63 in) tall at the shoulder. The ears of the greater kudu are large and round. Cows weigh 120–210 kg (260–460 lb) and stand as little as 100 cm (39 in) tall at the shoulder; they are hornless, without a beard or nose markings. The head-and-body length is 185–245 cm (6.07–8.04 ft), to which the tail may add a further 30–55 cm (12–22 in).

27-5-2019 SOMALISA CAMP, ZIMBABWE - SOUTHERN GREATER KUDU (FEMALE) (Tragelaphus Strepsiceros)

The greater kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) is a large woodland antelope, found throughout eastern and southern Africa. Despite occupying such widespread territory, they are sparsely populated in most areas due to declining habitat, deforestation, and poaching. The greater kudu is one of two species often known as kudu, the other being the lesser kudu, T.imberbis.

The range of the greater kudu extends from the east in Ethiopia, Tanzania, Eritrea and Kenya into the south where they are found in Zambia, Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa. Other regions where greater kudu are located are Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Eswatini, Malawi, Mozambique, Somalia, and Uganda.[8] They have also been introduced in small numbers into New Mexico, but were never released into the wild. Their habitat includes mixed scrub woodlands (the greater kudu is one of the few largest mammals that prefer living in settled areas – in scrub woodland and bush on abandoned fields and degraded pastures, mopane bush and acacia in lowlands, hills and mountains. They will occasionally venture onto plains only if there is a large abundance of bushes, but normally avoid such open areas to avoid becoming an easy target for their predators. Their diet consists of leaves, grass, shoots and occasionally tubers, roots and fruit (they are especially fond of oranges and tangerines).

27-5-2019 SOMALISA CAMP, ZIMBABWE - GREY GO AWAY BIRD (Corythaixoides concolor)

The grey go-away-bird, also known as the grey lourie, grey loerie, or kwêvoël, is a distinctive bird of the southern Afrotropics. With a smoky-grey plumage, a long tail, and a wispy crest that can be raised in excitement, this bird is a sight to behold. The strong, decurved beak is black, contrasting with the pink gape and tongue, and the plumage varies slightly in shade across different parts of the body.

Adults of both sexes are similar in appearance, measuring 47–51 cm from bill to tail tip and weighing between 200 to 300 grams. The crest, reaching 6 to 7 cm in length, is a key feature for identification. The darkest grey can be found on the chin and throat, while the area around the eyes and belly is paler. The breast plumage may have a slight olive wash, reminiscent of its relative, the bare-faced go-away-bird.

The grey go-away-bird is found in arid to moist, open savanna woodlands, particularly where Acacia trees abound. It is also a common sight in miombo woodlands, along watercourses, dry riparian forests, and in Acacia woodlands on alluvium. These birds are also comfortable in human-altered landscapes such as farms, gardens, and parks.

This species is native to a range of southern African countries, including Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Eswatini.

Despite their somewhat slow and laboured flight, grey go-away-birds are capable of covering considerable distances. They exhibit agility when navigating the treetops, running along limbs and hopping from branch to branch. They are sociable birds, often forming groups of up to 30 individuals that forage together in the canopy.

The grey go-away-bird is vocal, especially when disturbed, making loud and nasal "kweh" or "go-way" calls. The last syllable is typically a descending drawl, which is quite distinctive and memorable.

Breeding involves the construction of a flimsy nest platform made from thin, sometimes thorny sticks, resembling a substantial dove's nest. The nest, often containing three white eggs, is placed at the center of an isolated tree. Both parents share in all aspects of chick rearing, from incubation to feeding the down-covered chicks with regurgitated food.

Due to its unique combination of color, appearance, and habits, the grey go-away-bird is unlikely to be confused with other bird species within its range.

The diet of the grey go-away-bird is predominantly fruit-based, including wild figs, berries, flowers, buds, leaves, termites, and snails. They feed on a variety of plant genera and also consume fruit from exotic invasive species, playing a role in seed dispersal.

The grey go-away-bird is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, indicating that it is not currently at significant risk of decline in the wild.

27-5-2019 SOMALISA CAMP, ZIMBABWE - GREATER BLUE EARED STARLING (Lamprotornis chalybaeus)

The Greater Blue-eared Starling is a medium-sized, glossy bird found in sub-Saharan Africa that has bright, iridescent blue-green plumage with a distinctive blue ear-patch and a yellow or orange eye. It is an omnivorous, diurnal bird that eats fruit and insects, is highly gregarious, and often forms large flocks or roosts, sometimes reaching over 300 individuals. This species is known for its musical and grating calls, with a distinctive nasal "squee-ar" contact call. 

Appearance

Size: About 21-24 cm long.

Plumage: Glossy blue-green with a purple-blue belly and a blue ear-patch. It has a blue-black mask-like patch around its eyes.

Eyes: Bright yellow or orange irises.

Juveniles: Duller than adults, with brown undertones. 

Habitat and range

Habitat: Open woodland and savanna.

Range: Native to much of sub-Saharan Africa, from Senegal east to Ethiopia and south through eastern Africa to northeastern South Africa and Angola. 

Behavior and diet

Diet: Omnivorous, feeding on insects, fruits, and sometimes nectar or cereal grains.

Foraging: Often forages on the ground by hopping and can also scavenge from human food sources.

Social behavior: Highly gregarious, often seen in flocks. They may gather in large numbers, sometimes over 300, at fruiting trees or communal roosts.

Vocalizations: Has a range of calls, but is most known for a nasal "squee-ar" contact call. 

Other facts

Breeding: They are sometimes a host for the great spotted cuckoo.

Conservation status: The population is suspected to be stable.

27-5-2019 SOMALISA CAMP, ZIMBABWE - GREATER BLUE EARED STARLING (Lamprotornis chalybaeus)

The Greater Blue-eared Starling is a medium-sized, glossy bird found in sub-Saharan Africa that has bright, iridescent blue-green plumage with a distinctive blue ear-patch and a yellow or orange eye. It is an omnivorous, diurnal bird that eats fruit and insects, is highly gregarious, and often forms large flocks or roosts, sometimes reaching over 300 individuals. This species is known for its musical and grating calls, with a distinctive nasal "squee-ar" contact call. 

Appearance

Size: About 21-24 cm long.

Plumage: Glossy blue-green with a purple-blue belly and a blue ear-patch. It has a blue-black mask-like patch around its eyes.

Eyes: Bright yellow or orange irises.

Juveniles: Duller than adults, with brown undertones. 

Habitat and range

Habitat: Open woodland and savanna.

Range: Native to much of sub-Saharan Africa, from Senegal east to Ethiopia and south through eastern Africa to northeastern South Africa and Angola. 

Behavior and diet

Diet: Omnivorous, feeding on insects, fruits, and sometimes nectar or cereal grains.

Foraging: Often forages on the ground by hopping and can also scavenge from human food sources.

Social behavior: Highly gregarious, often seen in flocks. They may gather in large numbers, sometimes over 300, at fruiting trees or communal roosts.

Vocalizations: Has a range of calls, but is most known for a nasal "squee-ar" contact call. 

Other facts

Breeding: They are sometimes a host for the great spotted cuckoo.

Conservation status: The population is suspected to be stable.

27-5-2019 SOMALISA CAMP, ZIMBABWE - COMMON IMPALA (FEMALE) (Aepyceros melampus ssp. melampus)

The impala or rooibok (Aepyceros melampus, lit. 'black-footed high-horn' in Ancient Greek) is a medium-sized antelope found in eastern and southern Africa. The only extant member of the genus Aepyceros, and tribe Aepycerotini, it was first described to Europeans by German zoologist Hinrich Lichtenstein in 1812. Two subspecies are recognised—the grassland-dwelling common impala (sometimes referred to as the Kenyan impala), and the larger and darker black-faced impala, which lives in slightly more arid, scrubland environments. The impala reaches 70–92 cm (28–36 in) at the shoulder and weighs 40–76 kg (88–168 lb). It features a glossy, reddish brown coat. The male's slender, lyre-shaped horns are 45–92 cm (18–36 in) long.

27-5-2019 SOMALISA CAMP, ZIMBABWE - SOUTHERN GIRAFFE (Giraffa giraffa)

The southern giraffe (Giraffa giraffa), also known as two-horned giraffe, is a species of giraffe native to Southern Africa. The IUCN recognises four giraffe species, with several recognised subspecies.

Southern giraffes have rounded or blotched spots, some with star-like extensions on a light tan background, running down to the hooves. They range from South Africa, Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique. Their approximate population is composed of 44,500 to 50,000 individuals.

Giraffes are considered Vulnerable to extinction by the IUCN.

Living giraffes were originally classified as one species by Carl Linnaeus in 1758, under the binomial name Cervus camelopardalis. Morten Thrane Brünnich classified the genus Giraffa in 1772. Once considered a subspecies of the conglomerate Giraffa camelopardalis species, recent studies proposed the southern giraffe as a separate species of a reorganised genus Giraffa, under the binomial name Giraffa giraffa.

Subspecies

Subspecies of Southern giraffe

Angolan giraffe (G. g. angolensis), also known as Namibian Giraffe Is found in Southern Angola, northern Namibia, south-western Zambia, Botswana, and western Zimbabwe. A 2009 genetic study on this subspecies suggests the northern Namib Desert and Etosha National Park populations each form a separate subspecies. 

This subspecies has large brown blotches with edges that are either somewhat notched or have angular extensions. The spotting pattern extends throughout the legs but not the upper part of the face. The neck and rump patches tend to be fairly small. The subspecies also has a white ear patch.  Around 13,000 animals are estimated to remain in the wild; and about 20 are kept in zoos.

South African giraffe (G. g. giraffa), also known as Cape giraffe Is found in northern South Africa, southern Botswana, southern Zimbabwe, Eswatini, south-western Mozambique. and Malawi It has dark, somewhat rounded patches "with some fine projections" on a tawny background colour. The spots extend down the legs and get smaller. The median lump of males is less developed.  Approximately 31,500 are estimated to remain in the wild, and around 45 are kept in zoos.

The South African subspecies of the southern giraffe has dark, somewhat rounded patches "with some fine projections" on a tawny background colour. The spots extend down the legs and get smaller. The median lump of bulls is less developed.

The southern giraffes live in the savannahs and woodlands of northern South Africa, Angola, southern Botswana, southern Zimbabwe, Zambia and south-western Mozambique. After local extinctions in various places, South African giraffes have been reintroduced in many parts of Southern Africa, including Eswatini, Majete Game Reserve in Malawi, and Maputo and Zinave National Parks in Mozambique, the Angolan giraffe has been reintroduced to the Cuatir Conservation Area in Southern Angola and starting in 2023 Iona National Park on the north bank of the Cunene River.

They are common in both inside and outside of protected areas.

Southern giraffes usually live in savannahs and woodlands where food plants are available. Southern giraffes are herbivorous mammals. They feed on leaves, flowers, fruits and shoots of woody plants such as Acacia.

Southern giraffes are not threatened, as their population is increasing.

27-5-2019 SOMALISA CAMP, ZIMBABWE - COMMON JOKER (Byblia anvatara ssp. acheloia)

The Common Joker Byblia achelonia is a butterfly of the family Nymphalidae, found in Yemen, south-western Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, eastern Tanzania, Zambia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, northern Namibia, Eswatini, South Africa: Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape. It has a wingspan of 38–43 mm in males and 40–45 mm in females and fly year-round. It is similar to the Spotted Joker Byblia ilithyi with both seen together at the Raydah escarpment in the southwest of the Kingdom, near Abha.

27-5-2019 SOMALISA CAMP, ZIMBABWE - WHITE BROWED SPARROW WEAVER (Plocepasser mahili)

The white-browed sparrow-weaver (Plocepasser mahali) is a predominantly brown, sparrow-sized bird found throughout central and north-central southern Africa It is found in groups of two to eleven individuals consisting of one breeding pair and other non-reproductive individuals.

During his expedition to the interior of southern Africa in 1834–35, Andrew Smith collected specimens of the white-browed sparrow weaver at the Modder River, which he described in 1836, giving it the scientific name Plocepasser mahali.

Smith did not provide an explanation for the species epithet mahali, but is clear it is not a Latin name. Probably it is derived from the vernacular name for the bird in Setswana mogale or from the Sesotho word mohale, a brave or fierce person, which suggests the bird's name may refer to its angry scolding.

It ranges from 17 to 19 cm (6.7 to 7.5 in) in length and is characterized by a broad, white eyebrow stripe and white rump visible in flight. While the male white-browed sparrow-weaver sports a black bill, the female's bill is horn-colored (light gray); that of the juvenile is pinkish-brown. In Zimbabwe, the white-browed sparrow-weaver shows faint brown spotting across its white breast.

The white-browed sparrow-weaver may emit either a brief chik-chick or a loud, fluid, cheoop-preeoo-chop whistle.

The white-browed sparrow-weaver is found in greatest numbers in north-central southern Africa. While this species most densely populates dry regions with woodland or wooded grassland at northern South Africa, its range includes Botswana, northern and central Namibia, and western Zimbabwe. It is seen very often in South Luangwa National Park, Zambia and southern Malawi. Populations may be found as far north as Ethiopia. Populations are sedentary.

This species nests in colonies along thornveld and scrubby, dry riverbanks.

Breeding has been observed year round, but occurs mainly in warmer months. Year round, groups of the white-browed sparrow-weaver are active and nest-building. Groups of ten to sixty inverted-U-shaped nests of dry grass appear in the outside limbs of trees, although only several are used for breeding or roosting. While breeding nests have only one entrance, roosting nests have an entrance located at each of the two nest extremities. The construction of these nests shows cultural variations. Research has shown that, throughout a region, nests are located at the leeward side of a tree. This behavior preserves a greater number of intact nests for breeding and roosting. White-browed sparrow-weaver nests are sometimes used by other birds, such as the red-headed finch and ashy tit.

The white-browed sparrow-weaver is becoming more abundant, expanding its range on southern, northern, and eastern fronts.

27-5-2019 SOMALISA CAMP, ZIMBABWE - CAPPED WHEATEAR (Oenanthe pileata)

The capped wheatear (Oenanthe pileata) is a small insectivorous passerine bird that is widely distributed over southern Africa. It was formerly classed as a member of the thrush family Turdidae, but is now placed in the Old World flycatcher family, Muscicapidae.

The capped wheatear is 17–18 cm long and weighs 32 g. Its legs and pointed bill are black. This common species is striking and unmistakable in appearance. The adult has a black cap, cheeks and breast band, and white eye stripe and throat. The rest of the underparts are white with buff on the flanks and lower belly. Like other wheatears, it has a distinctive tail pattern with a black feathers on the base and centre of the tail forming an inverted T against the otherwise white rump. The juvenile has a brown cap and cheeks, and the breast band is weak and diffuse. However, the breast band, larger size, and white at the base of the outer tail feathers distinguish it from the migrant northern wheatear, which is rare over most of the capped wheatear's range.

This wheatear is found in open dry sandy and stony habitats and short grassland with a few bushes and termite mounds in Africa, from Kenya and Angola south to the Cape. It is largely non-migratory, but undertakes seasonal movements.

The capped wheatear's song is a loud melodic warble interspersed with slurred chattering, and it has a chik-chik alarm call. It is monogamous and builds a nest of straw, grass, and leaves in a hole in the ground or a termite mound. It may use man-made drainage pipes if available. Typically three or four, sometimes more, eggs are laid. This solitary species feeds on insects, especially ants. Like other wheatears, it perches on mounds and hops over the short grass, or flies low over the ground.

27-5-2019 SOMALISA CAMP, ZIMBABWE - BRADFIELD'S HORNBILL (Lophoceros bradfieldi)

The Bradfield's hornbill, known scientifically as Lophoceros bradfieldi, is a medium-sized bird, with a length ranging from 50 to 57 centimeters. It boasts a striking plumage with a black back and wings, contrasted by a pristine white belly. The elongated tail is adorned with white tip feathers, adding to its distinctive appearance.

Males of the species can be identified by their larger size and vivid red beak, which is long and lacks a casque. Females are slightly smaller and can be distinguished by their turquoise facial skin. Both sexes have yellow eyes, which peer out from their striking faces.

Bradfield's hornbill is an inhabitant of the mopane woodlands and mixed thorn fields, where it finds both shelter and sustenance.

This hornbill is an uncommon resident in the northeastern regions of Namibia, particularly on the Waterberg plateau, extending its range to northern Botswana, southern Angola, and eastern Zimbabwe.

The Bradfield's hornbill is known for its resourceful foraging habits, as it searches for food both in trees and on the ground.

Its diet is quite varied, consisting of fruits, large insects, nuts, and small reptiles, which it skillfully procures from its environment.

The IUCN Red List categorizes the Bradfield's hornbill as Least Concern, indicating that, for now, this species does not face immediate threats of extinction.

The common name and Latin binomial of this hornbill pay homage to the South African naturalist R. D. Bradfield, a testament to his contributions to the natural sciences.

27-5-2019 SOMALISA CAMP, ZIMBABWE - CAPE BUFFALO (Syncerus caffer ssp. caffer)

The African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) is a large species of true buffalo native to Sub-Saharan Africa, where it is found in a number of disconnected ranges stretching from south-eastern Senegal through West and Central Africa to South Africa. The adult African buffalo's horns are its characteristic feature: they have fused bases that form a continuous bone shield, referred to as a "boss", across the top of the head. The African buffalo is more closely related to Asian buffalo (Bubalus) species than it is to other bovids such as American bison or domestic cattle. Its unpredictable temperament may be part of the reason that the African buffalo has never been domesticated and has no domesticated descendants, unlike the wild yak and wild water buffalo, which are the ancestors of the domestic yak and water buffalo, respectively. Natural predators of adult African buffaloes include lions, African wild dogs, spotted hyenas, and Nile crocodiles. As one of the Big Five game animals, the Cape buffalo (Syncerus caffer caffer), the largest subspecies native to eastern and southern Africas, is a sought-after trophy in hunting.

The African buffalo is a very robust species. Its shoulder height can range from 1.0 to 1.7 m (3.3 to 5.6 ft) and its head-and-body length can range from 1.7 to 3.4 m (5.6 to 11.2 ft). The tail can range from 70 to 110 cm (28 to 43 in) long.[4] Compared with other large bovids, it has a long but stocky body (the body length can exceed that of the wild water buffalo, which is heavier and taller) and short but thickset legs, resulting in a relatively short standing height. Cape buffaloes weigh 425 to 870 kg (937 to 1,918 lb) (males weigh about 100 kg (220 lb) more than females). In comparison, African forest buffaloes, at 250 to 450 kg (600 to 1,000 lb), are only half that size. Its head is carried low; its top is located below the backline. The front hooves of the buffalo are wider than the rear, which is associated with the need to support the weight of the front part of the body, which is heavier and more powerful than the back.

Savannah-type buffaloes have black or dark brown coats with age. Old bulls often have whitish circles around their eyes and on their face. Females tend to have more reddish coats. Forest-type buffaloes are 30–40% smaller, reddish brown in colour, with much more hair growth around the ears and with horns that curve back and slightly up. Calves of both types have red coats.

A characteristic feature of the horns of adult male African buffalo (southern and eastern populations) is that the bases come very close together, forming a shield referred to as a "boss". From the base, the horns diverge downwards, then smoothly curve upwards and outwards and in some cases inwards and or backwards. In large bulls, the distance between the ends of the horns can reach upwards of one metre (the record being 64.5 inches 164 cm). The horns form fully when the animal reaches the age of 5 or 6 years old, but the bosses do not become "hard" until it reaches the age of 8 to 9 years old. In cows, the horns are, on average, 10–20% smaller, and they do not have a boss. Forest-type buffalo horns are smaller than those of the savanna-type buffaloes from Southern and East Africa, usually measuring less than 40 cm (16 in), and are almost never fused.

Unlike other large bovines, African buffalo have 52 chromosomes (for comparison, American bison and domestic cattle have 60). This means they are unable to produce hybrid offspring with domestic cattle and bison.

There are five subspecies that are recognized as valid by most authorities:

Syncerus caffer caffer, the Cape buffalo, is the nominotypical subspecies, as well as the largest, found in Southern and East Africa.

S. c. nanus, the forest buffalo, is the smallest subspecies, common in forest areas of Central and West Africa

S. c. brachyceros, the Sudan buffalo, a smaller version of the Cape buffalo, found in the drier, northern areas of Central and West Africa.

S. c. aequinoctialis, the Nile buffalo, sometimes considered identical to the Sudan buffalo, found in the drier, northern areas of East and Central Africa.

S. c. mathewsi, the mountain buffalo, a disputed subspecies from the Virunga Mountains in Central Africa.

Herd size is highly variable. The core of the herds is made up of related females, and their offspring, in an almost linear dominance hierarchy. The basic herds are surrounded by subherds of subordinate males, high-ranking males and females, and old or invalid animals.

African buffaloes engage in several types of group behavior. Females appear to exhibit a sort of "voting behavior". During resting time, the females stand up, shuffle around, and sit back down again. They sit in the direction they think they should move. After an hour of more shuffling, the females travel in the direction they decide. This decision is communal and not based on hierarchy or dominance.

When chased by predators, a herd sticks close together and makes it hard for the predators to pick off one member. Calves are gathered in the middle. A buffalo herd responds to the distress call of a threatened member and tries to rescue it. A calf's distress call gets the attention of not only the mother, but also the herd. Buffaloes engage in mobbing behavior when fighting off predators. They have been recorded killing lions and chasing lions up trees and keeping them there for two hours, after the lions have killed a member of their group. Lion cubs can get trampled and killed. In one videotaped instance, known as the Battle at Kruger, a calf survived an attack by both lions and a crocodile after intervention of the herd.

Males have a linear dominance hierarchy based on age and size. Since a buffalo is safer when a herd is larger, dominant bulls may rely on subordinate bulls and sometimes tolerate their copulation. The young males keep their distance from the dominant bull, which is recognizable by the thickness of his horns.

Adult bulls spar in play, dominance interactions, or actual fights. A bull approaches another, lowing, with his horns down, and waits for the other bull to do the same thing. When sparring, the bulls twist their horns from side to side. If the sparring is for play, the bull may rub his opponent's face and body during the sparring session. Actual fights are violent but rare and brief. Calves may also spar in play, but adult females rarely spar at all.

During the dry season, males split from the herd and form bachelor groups. Two types of bachelor herds occur: ones made of males aged four to seven years and those of males 12 years or older. During the wet season, the younger bulls rejoin a herd to mate with the females. They stay with them throughout the season to protect the calves. Some older bulls cease to rejoin the herd, as they can no longer compete with the younger, more aggressive males. The old bachelors are called dagga boys ("mud covered"), and are considered the most dangerous to humans.

27-5-2019 SOMALISA CAMP, ZIMBABWE - 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.

27-5-2019 SOMALISA CAMP, ZIMBABWE - BLACKSMITH LAPWING (Vanellus armatus)

The Blacksmith lapwing is a large, boldly patterned bird from sub-Saharan Africa, named for its metallic "tink-tink" call that resembles a blacksmith's hammer. It is identifiable by its black, white, and gray plumage, red eyes, and long legs. These birds are highly territorial and aggressive in defending their nests, using a sharp spur on their wings for defense and sometimes attacking much larger animals. 

Physical description

Plumage: A striking black, white, and gray pattern, with a black head and breast, and a white forehead and belly.

Size: Medium-sized, about 30 cm long with long legs.

Unique features: Red eyes and a sharp carpal (wrist) spur used for defense.

Coloration: Juveniles are brownish and spotted, providing camouflage. 

27-5-2019 SOMALISA CAMP, ZIMBABWE - COMMON WATERBUCK (MALE) (Kobus ellipsiprymnus ssp. ellipsiprymnus)

The waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) is a large antelope found in sub-Saharan Africa. It was first described by Irish naturalist William Ogilby in 1833. The waterbuck is predominantly a grazer and is mostly found on grassland.

The waterbuck is the largest amongst the six species of Kobus and is one of the heaviest antelopes. It has a robust build. The shaggy coat is reddish brown to grey, and becomes progressively darker with age. Males are darker than females. Though apparently thick, the hair is sparse on the coat. The hair on the neck is, however, long and shaggy. When excited, the skin of the waterbuck secretes a greasy substance with the odor of musk, giving it the name "greasy kob". The odor of this is so unpleasant that it repels predators. This secretion also assists in water-proofing the body when the animal dives into water.

The facial features include a white muzzle light eyebrows and lighter insides of the ears. A cream-colored patch (called "bib") is on the throat. Waterbuck have characterized by a long neck and short, strong, black legs. The long, spiral horns curve backward, then forward. Found only on males, the horns range from 55 to 99 cm (22 to 39 in) in length. To some extent, the length of the horns is related to the bull's age.Waterbuck are native to southern and eastern Africa (including countries such as Angola, Botswana, The Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda) besides a few countries of western and northern Africa such as Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, and Senegal.

These antelopes inhabit riverine forests, scrub and savanna areas alongside rivers, lakes, and valleys. Waterbuck are sedentary in nature, however, they may migrate with the onset of monsoon. They are gregarious animals that form herds consisting of 6 to 30 individuals. The various groups are the nursery herds, bachelor herds, and territorial males. As soon as young males start developing horns (at around 7-9 months of age), they are chased out of the herd by territorial bulls. These males then form bachelor herds and may roam in female home ranges. 

A few females may form spinster herds. Though females are seldom aggressive, minor tension may arise in herds. Waterbuck usually feed in the morning and at night. They are typically silent animals but will use alarm snorts for vocal communication. Waterbuck are excellent swimmers and often enter the water to escape from predators; however, it has been observed that they do not particularly like being in the water. They may also run into cover when alarmed, and males often attack predators.

27-5-2019 SOMALISA CAMP, ZIMBABWE - COMMON WATERBUCK (FEMALE) (Kobus ellipsiprymnus ssp. ellipsiprymnus)

The waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) is a large antelope found widely in sub-Saharan Africa. It is in the genus Kobus of the family Bovidae. It was first described by Irish naturalist William Ogilby in 1833. Its 13 subspecies are grouped under two varieties: the common or ellipsiprymnus waterbuck and the defassa waterbuck. Their coat colour varies from brown to grey. The long, spiral horns, present only on males, curve backward, then forward, and are 55–99 cm (22–39 in) long.

Waterbucks are rather sedentary in nature. As gregarious animals, they may form herds consisting of six to thirty individuals. These groups are either nursery herds with females and their offspring or bachelor herds. Males start showing territorial behaviour from the age of five years, but are most dominant from six to nine. 

26-5-2019 SOMALISA, ZIMBABWE - TAWNY EAGLE (Aquila rapax)

The Tawny Eagle (Aquila rapax) is a large bird of prey, belonging to the family Accipitridae. It is characterized by heavily feathered legs, indicative of its membership in the subfamily Aquilinae, or booted eagles. Exhibiting a polymorphic plumage, the Tawny Eagle's coloration ranges from dark grey-brown to rufous-tawny, with a strong and bold bill, well-proportioned frame, and fierce countenance. This eagle is known for its opportunistic feeding habits, engaging in both active predation and scavenging.

The Tawny Eagle can be identified by its long neck, large bill without a deep gape, and moderately long wings with pronounced "fingers." Its tail is shortish and square-ended, resembling that of a vulture. Adults may have variably colored eyes from yellow to pale brown, with a yellow cere and feet at all ages. The species is polymorphic, with individuals varying in plumage from dark brown to rufous and buffish-yellow.

Tawny Eagles favor open dry habitats such as semideserts, deserts steppes, or savanna plains. They are seldom found in areas completely devoid of trees, as they require perches for hunting and nesting.

The Tawny Eagle has a discontinuous breeding range across much of the African continent and the Indian subcontinent, with rare residency in the southern Middle East.

26-5-2019 SOMALISA, ZIMBABWE - SOUTHERN MASKED WEAVER (FEMALE) (Ploceus velatus)

The southern masked weaver (Ploceus velatus), or African masked weaver, is a resident breeding bird species common throughout southern Africa.

This weaver is very widespread and found in a wide range of habitats, including shrubland, savanna, grassland, open woodland, inland wetlands and semi-desert areas. It also occurs in sub-urban gardens and parks.

The southern masked weaver is 11–14.5 cm (4.3–5.7 in) long with a short, strong, conical bill and pinkish brown legs. The adult male in breeding plumage has a black face, throat and beak, red eye, bright yellow head and underparts, and a plain yellowish-green back,

The female has a pinkish-brown bill, brown or red-brown eye and is dull greenish-yellow, streaked darker on the upper back. The throat is yellowish, fading to off-white on the belly. The non-breeding male resembles the female but retains the red eye. The juvenile of this species is like the female.

The call is a harsh swizzling, similar to other weavers. It also utters a sharp chuk alarm note.