Friday, 4 March 2022
Thursday, 3 March 2022
1-3-2022 TABLAS DE DAIMIEL, LA MANCHA - EURASIAN PENDULINE TIT (MALE) (Remiz pendulinus)
The Eurasian penduline tit or European penduline tit (Remiz pendulinus) is a passerine bird of the genus Remiz. It is relatively widespread throughout the western Palearctic. It is migratory in the northern part of its range but resident in the southern part.
The breeding range in Western Europe experienced an expansion during the 1980s and 1990s. This was accompanied by an expansion of the species’ winter range and reached as far south as northern Morocco.
It builds an elaborate hanging nest, formerly used in Central Europe as children's slippers.
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The Eurasian penduline tit usually eats insects and spiders but will also eat seeds such as those from the willow (Salix). It generally searches for food in trees but will also forage in reeds where it will take insects from the stem as well as the seed head. It uses one foot to cling to the reed and the other to pull out clumps of seeds from the head.
Monday, 28 February 2022
Sunday, 27 February 2022
5-6-2019 LINYANTI CAMP, BOTSWANA - COMMON WATERBUCK (MALE) (Kobus ellipsiprymnus ssp. ellipsiprymnus)
The waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) is a large antelope found widely in sub-Saharan Africa. It is placed 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. The head-and-body length is typically between 177 and 235 cm (70 and 93 in) and the typical height is between 120 and 136 cm (47 and 54 in). In this sexually dimorphic antelope, males are taller and heavier than females. Males reach roughly 127 cm (50 in) at the shoulder, while females reach 119 cm (47 in). Males typically weigh 198–262 kg (437–578 lb) and females 161–214 kg (355–472 lb). 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.
5-6-2019 LINYANTI CAMP, BOTSWANA - AFRICAN WATTLED LAPWING (Vanellus senegallus)
The African wattled lapwing (Vanellus senegallus), also known as the Senegal wattled plover or simply wattled lapwing, is a large lapwing, a group of largish waders in the family Charadriidae. It is a resident breeder in most of sub-Saharan Africa outside the rainforests, although it has seasonal movements.
These are conspicuous and unmistakable birds. They are large brown waders with a black crown, white forehead and large yellow facial wattles. The tail is white, tipped black, and the long legs are yellow.
In flight, the upperwings have black flight feathers and brown coverts separated by a white bar. The underwings are white with black flight feathers. The African wattled lapwing has a loud peep-peep call.
This species is a common breeder in wet lowland habitats, especially damp grassland. It often feeds in drier habitats, such as golf courses, picking insects and other invertebrates from the ground. It lays three or four eggs on a ground scrape.
The African wattled lapwing is one of the species to which the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) applies.
The African wattled lapwing (Vanellus senegallus ), also known as the Senegal wattled plover or simply wattled lapwing, is a large lapwing, a group of largish waders in the family Charadriidae. It is a resident breeder in most of sub-Saharan Africa outside the rainforests, although it has seasonal movements.
These are conspicuous and unmistakable birds. They are large brown waders with a black crown, white forehead and large yellow facial wattles. The tail is white, tipped black, and the long legs are yellow.
In flight, the upperwings have black flight feathers and brown coverts separated by a white bar. The underwings are white with black flight feathers. The African wattled lapwing has a loud peep-peep call.
This species is a common breeder in wet lowland habitats, especially damp grassland. It often feeds in drier habitats, such as golf courses, picking insects and other invertebrates from the ground. It lays three or four eggs on a ground scrape.
The African wattled lapwing is one of the species to which the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) applies.
5-6-2019 LINYANTI CAMP, BOTSWANA - SENEGAL COUCAL (Centropus senegalensis)
The Senegal coucal, Centropus senegalensis, is a medium-sized bird within the cuckoo order, Cuculiformes. It boasts a striking appearance with a black crown, nape, upper parts, bill, legs, and elongated tail. The eyes of this species are a captivating red, while the wings present a rich chestnut hue. The underparts are a creamy white, accented with blackish barring on the flanks.
When identifying the Senegal coucal, look for its black upper body and tail, contrasting with chestnut wings and creamy underparts. The red eyes are a distinctive feature, as is the barring on the flanks. Juveniles may appear browner with more pronounced barring and streaking.
This bird favors grassy environments interspersed with trees, such as bushlands and savannahs, providing it with ample cover and foraging opportunities.
The Senegal coucal's range spans across central and southern Africa, south of the Sahara Desert. It can be found from Senegal and Gambia in the west, across to Ethiopia and Kenya in the east, and reaching down to Angola and Congo in the south. A separate population resides in southern Africa, particularly around Zambia, Zimbabwe, and northern Botswana.
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