Sunday, 10 April 2022
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19-5-2019 BUMI HILLS, 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.
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.
19-5-2019 BUMI HILLS, ZIMBABWE - LAUGHING DOVE (Streptopelia senegalensis)
The Laughing Dove (Spilopelia senegalensis) is a small, graceful pigeon with a long tail, known for its gentle, unassuming presence across a vast range. Exhibiting a pinkish-brown underside with a lilac-tinged head and neck, this dove carries an air of delicate beauty. The species is recognized by its pinkish head and underparts, transitioning to buff on the lower abdomen. Adults boast a distinctive chequered rufous and grey patch on the neck, composed of split feathers, while the upper parts are brownish with a bluish-grey wing band.
When observing the Laughing Dove, look for its slim profile, about 25 cm in length, and the graduated tail with white-tipped outer feathers. Both sexes appear similar, making field identification by gender challenging. Juveniles can be identified by the absence of the chequered neck markings. The red legs are another characteristic feature to note.
This species thrives in dry scrub and semi-desert regions, often seen in pairs as they forage on the ground. It has adapted well to human habitation, becoming quite tame in areas where people are present.
The Laughing Dove has a broad range that includes Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, and Western Australia. It is a resident breeder in these areas, with some populations showing sedentary behavior, while others may exhibit local movements.
19-5-2019 BUMI HILLS, ZIMBABWE - SOUTHERN DARK CAPPED BULBUL (Pycnonotus barbatus ssp. layardi)
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The Dark-capped Bulbul (Pycnonotus tricolor), also known as the Black-eyed Bulbul or Common Bulbul, is a widespread and conspicuous bird found throughout much of sub-Saharan Africa.
Key Facts
Appearance: A medium-sized (around 20 cm) bird with grayish-brown upperparts and a distinctive dark head that has a short, pointy crest. The underparts are a paler greyish-white, but a key feature is its bright yellow vent (undertail coverts). Sexes look similar in plumage.
Habitat: Highly adaptable, it thrives in a variety of wooded and bushy environments, including riverine forests, orchards, parks, and suburban gardens. It avoids only dense, evergreen forests or treeless deserts.
Diet: Omnivorous and highly flexible in its diet. It primarily feeds on fruits, berries, seeds, nectar, and flower petals, but also hawks for insects and small invertebrates, especially when breeding.
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Behavior: It is a social and noisy bird, typically seen in pairs or small groups. They are known for being alert and are often one of the first species to sound an alarm when a predator is spotted. Their flight is described as bouncy.Vocalization: Possesses a loud, cheerful, and varied call, which has been transcribed as "doctor-quick doctor-quick be-quick be-quick" or a phrase sounding like "Wake-up, Gregory". They also have harsh chattering alarm calls.
Breeding: They are monogamous and territorial during the breeding season. The female builds a neat, cup-shaped nest well-concealed in dense foliage using twigs, grass, and roots. She typically lays a clutch of two to three eggs, which she incubates for about two weeks. The male brings food to the female at the nest and helps feed the chicks after they hatch. Their nests are sometimes parasitized by the Jacobin Cuckoo.
10-4-2022 TARRAGONA, SPAIN - SAVI'S WARBLER (Locustella luscinioides)
The "song"ⓘ is a monotonous mechanical insect-like reeling, often given at dusk. It is similar to the song of other species in the group, but is generally faster and deeper and bears a strong resemblance to that of Roesel's bush-cricket.
Saturday, 9 April 2022
Friday, 8 April 2022
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Wednesday, 6 April 2022
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Tuesday, 5 April 2022
20-5-2019 BUMI HILLS, ZIMBABWE - WHITE HEADED LAPWING (Vanellus albiceps)
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The White-crowned Lapwing, also known as the White-headed Lapwing, White-headed Plover, or White-crowned Plover, is a medium-sized wader that presents a striking appearance. Its upper body is adorned with a brown back, while the wings and tail exhibit a bold black and white pattern. The underparts are a clean white. The head is particularly distinctive with a grey base, a brilliant white crown, and a white foreneck. Adding to its unique visage are the yellow eyering, facial wattles, and legs. Both sexes and juveniles share a similar plumage, making them indistinguishable in the field.
When attempting to identify the White-crowned Lapwing, look for the unmistakable combination of its white crown, grey head, and the contrasting black and white patterns on its wings and tail. The yellow eyering and wattles are also key features that aid in its identification.
19-5-2019 BUMI HILLS, ZIMBABWE - LITTLE BEE-EATER (Merops pasillas)
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The little bee-eater (Merops pusillus) is a bird species in the bee-eater family, Meropidae. They are found in Sub-Saharan Africa. They should not be confused with the little green bee-eater (Merops orientalis). Migration is limited to seasonal movements depending on rainfall patterns.
Members of this species, like other bee-eaters, are rich and brightly coloured slender birds. They have green upper parts, yellow throats, black gorgets, and rich brown upper breasts fading to buffish ochre on the belly. Their wings are green and brown. Their beaks and legs are black. They reach a length of 15–17 cm, which makes them the smallest African bee-eater. Sexes are alike. Often silent, their call is a soft "seep".
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These are abundant and tame birds, familiar throughout their range. There have been estimated to be between 60 and 80 million little bee-eaters. They breed in open country with bushes, preferably near water. Just as the name suggests, bee-eaters predominantly eat insects, especially bees, wasps and hornets, who are caught in the air by sorties from an open perch. This species often hunts from low perches, maybe only a metre or less high. Before eating their meal, a bee-eater removes the stinger by repeatedly hitting the insect on a hard surface.
Unlike most bee-eaters, these are solitary nesters, making a tunnel in sandy banks, or sometimes in the entrance to an Aardvark den. They lay 4 to 6 spherical white eggs. Both the male and the female take care of the eggs. These birds roost communally, lined up on a tree branch.
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This is an abundant and tame bird, familiar throughout its range of Sub-Sahara Africa. There have been estimated to be between 60-80 million little bee-eaters. It breeds in open country with bushes, preferably near water. Just as the name suggests, bee-eaters predominantly eat insects, especially bees, wasps and hornets, which are caught in the air by sorties from an open perch.
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This is the world’s smallest bee-eater at a length of 16 cm. The little bee-eater is bright green on top with orange or buff underparts, including the outer flight feathers. A black gorget (collar) separates the orange or buff breast from a yellow throat.
The tail is orange or buff, with a green center. Like all bee-eaters, the little bee-eater has a black eye stripe, with turquoise spot above the eye.
The little bee-eater hunts flying insects, whilst in flight. Once they catch an insect, they will return to a perch, to kill the insect and remove its sting, by repeatedly hitting the insect against the branch. The little bee-eater prefers insects such as bees and wasps.
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A tunnel is dug by both the male and female little bee-eater, normally in a vertical sandy bank or an aardvark hole. This tunnel can be as deep as 130 cm. They do not line the nest cavity and the 2 to 6 eggs are laid directly on the sand. The eggs are incubated by both sexes for around 20 days.
This bee-eater is parasitized by the Greater Honeyguide (Indicator indicator).
The little bee-eater will roost communally at night, with the birds huddled together on a single perch. They often use the same perch repeatedly when hunting, taking short flights to catch their prey then returning back to the same perch.
The little bee-eater is found in a woodland environment, near water. This is a common resident in the north-eastern areas of South Africa.
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19-5-2019 BUMI HILLS, ZIMBABWE - AFRICAN PIPIT (Merops pusillus ssp. meridionalis)
Monday, 4 April 2022
20-5-2019 LAKE KARIBA, ZIMBABWE - AFRICAN FISH EAGLE (Haliaeetus vocifer)
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