Tuesday, 15 March 2022
Monday, 14 March 2022
Sunday, 13 March 2022
5-6-2019 MOREMI CAMP, BOTSWANA - AFRICAN JACANA (Actophilornis africanus)
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The African jacana (Actophilornis africanus) is a wader in the family Jacanidae. It has long toes and long claws that enables it to walk on floating vegetation in shallow lakes, its preferred habitat. It is widely distributed in sub-Saharan Africa. For the origin and pronunciation of the name, see Jacanidae.
The African jacanas is a conspicuous and unmistakable bird. It measures 23 to 31 cm (9.1 to 12.2 in) in overall length. As in other jacanas, the female is on average larger than the male. Males can weigh from 115 to 224 g (4.1 to 7.9 oz), averaging 137 g (4.8 oz) and females from 167 to 290 g (5.9 to 10.2 oz), averaging 261 g (9.2 oz). Alongside the similarly-sized Madagascar jacana, this appears to be the heaviest jacana species. They have chestnut upperparts with black wingtips, rear neck, and eyestripe. The underparts are also chestnut in the adults, only in juveniles they are white with a chestnut belly patch. The blue bill extends up as a coot-like head shield, and the legs and long toes are grey.
5-6-2019 MOREMI CAMP, BOTSWANA - MARABOU STORK (Leptoptilos crumenifer)
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Marabou Storks possess hollow leg and toe bones. In such a large bird, this is an important adaptation for flight.
These birds secure much of their food by scavenging. They are attracted to lion kills, domestic stockyards, plowed fields, and rubbish piles.
Marabou Storks are also attracted to grass fires and will march in front of the advancing fire to grab any fleeing animals.
These storks may associate with herds of large mammals in order to catch insects disturbed by their movements.
These birds have been known to feed on adult flamingoes.
These storks need to eat more than 700 g (1.6 lbs.) of food a day.
The pouch on their throat is not used for food storage and may be used during courtship.
Marabou Storks nest in the dry season when carrion and evaporating pools that contain the natural prey necessary to raise their young are available.
Marabou Storks are known to consume carrion. They break through the thick hides of large, deceased mammals with their powerful beak. This helps to speed up the decomposition process and allows for other weaker scavengers to have access to the carcass. In addition, they are important predators, frequently seen standing on termite mounds ingesting swarming insects. In turn, these birds themselves are prey for large carnivores.
This species is hunted and traded at traditional medicine markets in Nigeria.
The Association of Zoos and Aquariums recognizes Busch Gardens Tampa Bay as the first to successfully breed this species.
Saturday, 12 March 2022
5-6-2019 MOREMI CAMP, BOTSWANA - BENNETT'S WOODPECKER (Campethera bennettii)
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The Bennett's woodpecker, a species of bird in the Picidae family, is a striking figure in the woodlands and bushes of Africa. This bird, approximately 24 cm in length and weighing between 61 to 84 grams, is adorned with a palette of colors that include brown, yellow, white, and pale yellow. The male is particularly distinctive with its red forehead, crown, and nape, while the female sports a black forehead with white spots and brown or blackish-brown ear coverts and throat.
To identify the Bennett's woodpecker, look for the male's vibrant red head and the female's spotted black forehead. Both sexes have red eyes, a grey beak, and legs that are either bluish-green or grey-green. The underparts are pale yellow with dark spots on the breast and flanks. Juveniles have a black forehead and crown with darker upperparts. The subspecies C. b. capricorni is slightly larger with deeper colored underparts and fewer spots.
Bennett's woodpecker favors woodlands and bushes, including miombo, Baikiaea, Acacia, and mopane woodlands, which provide ample foraging opportunities and nesting sites.
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This woodpecker has a patchy distribution across Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eswatini, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Bennett's woodpecker can be observed singly, in pairs, or in family groups. It is known to forage primarily on the ground, in areas either bare or with short grass, and also within the branches of trees.
The vocal repertoire of this species includes "chuur" notes, a series of "wi-wi-wi-wi," "kee-kee-kee," or "ddrahh, ddrahh, ddray-ay, ddray-ay," and a chattering "wirrit-wirrit."
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Breeding season for Bennett's woodpecker spans from August to February. They either excavate new holes or reuse old ones in trees for nesting. A clutch typically consists of three eggs, which are incubated for a period of 15 to 18 days.
The diet of Bennett's woodpecker is predominantly composed of ants and termites, including their eggs, which it skillfully extracts from the ground or tree bark.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has assessed Bennett's woodpecker as a species of least concern, with a stable population and no significant threats identified.
5-6-2019 MOREMI 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.
6-6-2019 KHWAI CAMP, BOTSWANA - LITTLE BEE-EATER (Merops pasillas)
The Little Bee-eater, scientifically known as Merops pusillus, is a diminutive and vibrant member of the bee-eater family, Meropidae. This species is adorned with green upper parts and a yellow throat, complemented by a striking black gorget. The upper breast is a rich brown, which gently transitions to a buffish ochre on the belly. Their wings exhibit a blend of green and brown hues, while their beaks and legs are a stark black. Measuring a mere 15–17 cm in length, they hold the title of the smallest African bee-eater. Both males and females are similar in appearance.
These birds favor open country with an abundance of bushes, showing a preference for areas near water sources.
The Little Bee-eater is a resident of Sub-Saharan Africa. Their movements are seasonal, often dictated by the patterns of rainfall rather than long-distance migration.
Little Bee-eaters are known for their abundance and tame nature within their range. They are often seen perched low, sometimes just a meter above the ground. They roost communally, aligning themselves neatly on a tree branch.
6-6-2019 KHWAI CAMP, BOTSWANA - BURCHELL'S STARLING (Lamprotornis australis)
Burchell's starling (Lamprotornis australis) or Burchell's glossy-starling is a species of starling in the family Sturnidae. The monogamous and presumably sedentary species is native to dry and mesic woodlands and savannah of southern Africa. The name of this bird commemorates the English naturalist William John Burchell.
This species is found in Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. It is absent from miombo woodland, but is present in westerly gusu woodlands.
In the Kalahari they associate with camelthorn trees and also feed on their flowers. Their food includes flowers, fruit and small animals. They breed during the summer months.
General Habitat is open woodland and savanna, avoiding miombo woodland; associated particularly with camelthorn trees (Acacia erioloba) or knobthorn (Acacia nigrescens). To 1500 m; below 500 m in E lowveld of South Africa.
The species is not threatened and is locally common in conservation areas.
Burchell's starling is a starling native to southern Africa, found in countries like South Africa, Angola, and Botswana, and is not a migrant.
Friday, 11 March 2022
Thursday, 10 March 2022
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