24-2-2026 MADIKWE GAME RESERVE, SOUTH AFRICA - EASTERN LITTLE BEE-EATER (Merops pusillus meridionalis)

The Eastern Little Bee-eater (Merops pusillus meridionalis) is a subspecies of the Little Bee-eater, recognized as the smallest African bee-eater species. These birds are renowned for their vibrant, colorful plumage and their specialized hunting techniques, often seen in sub-Saharan Africa. 

Physical Description

Size: They are very small, reaching a length of only 15–17 cm and weighing 11–18 grams. 

Appearance: They are predominantly green on their upper parts with a bright yellow throat, a distinct thin black collar (gorget), and a rich cinnamon/buff-orange belly. They have a black eye-stripe and a small blue stripe above the eye. 

Meridionalis Subspecies: This subspecies is characterized by having a thin, short blue supercilium (eyebrow) and a very narrow bluish-white line above the black gorget. 

Sexes: Males and females are alike in appearance.

24-2-2026 MADIKWE GAME RESERVE, SOUTH AFRICA - SOUTH AFRICAN SHELDUCK (MALE) (Tadorna cana)

The South African shelduck or Cape shelduck (Tadorna cana) is a species of shelduck, a group of large goose-like birds in the bird family Anatidae, which includes the swans, geese and ducks. This is a common species native to southern Africa.

This is a 64 cm (25 in) long bird which breeds mainly in Namibia and South Africa. In the austral winter, many birds move north-east from the breeding range to favoured moulting grounds, where sizable concentrations occur.This species is mainly associated with lakes and rivers in fairly open country, breeding in disused mammal holes, usually those of the aardvark. Pairs tend to be very nomadic when not in breeding season. 

6-4-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - RED EYED GRASS SNAKE (JUVENILE) (Natrix astreptophora)

Natrix astreptophora, the red-eyed grass snake or the Iberian grass snake, is a species of natricine snake found in the Iberian Peninsula, south of France, and some coastal areas in Maghreb, from Tangier to Tunisia. Long considered a subspecies of the European grass snake, Natrix natrix, the subspecies was split off from that taxon in 2016.

The red-eyed grass snake can be distinguished from all other grass snakes by its reddish irises and fewer ventral scales. The species is known to show erythrism.

There are three disjunct populations of the red-eyed grass snake. The European population in found in the Iberian Peninsula and Occitania in southwestern France. The population in the Maghreb is divided into two disjunct subpopulations, one in northern Morocco and one in northwestern Tunisia and northeastern Algeria.

The red-eyed grass snake typically preys on fish and amphibians, and also eats small mammals and juvenile birds.

Like some other grass snakes, red-eyed grass snakes are known to raise their forebody and flatten their necks in an imitation of cobra behaviour, even though their ranges do not overlap. This is a relict from the Pliocene to Pleistocene, when cobras were extant in Europe and inhabited the same areas as grass snakes.

Red-eyed grass snakes reach maturity at 5 years. Egg-laying takes place in July and August. Young females are thought to lay clutches of around ten eggs, like in the related barred grass snake, while older females can lay as many as 100 eggs. Red-eyed grass snakes have been recorded infrequently interbreeding with other Natrix grass snakes. They are known to interbreed very rarely with the barred grass snake where the ranges of the two species meet, although gene flow between these two species is almost negligible.[6] The red-eyed grass snake has also been recorded hybridizing with the more distantly related viperine water snake in Andalusia in southern Spain.

The red-eyed grass snake is listed as being of least concern in both the European and global IUCN Red Lists. It is rare in the North African part of its range, but is generally common in the European portion. Its population is currently decreasing, with a 2022 study finding that Spanish populations of snakes in the Natrix natrix complex had decreased by 49.1% from 1980 to 2017 and by 23.3% in the 18 year period preceding 2017. Although it is not threatened by any issues across its range, the snake faces localized threats from water pollution, persecution, and wildfires. As red-eyed grass snakes usually inhabit moist, shaded areas, they are absent from recently burned areas for up to one year after wildfires. In Iberia, red-eyed grass snakes are also more numerous in rivers with no invasive fish species; as invasive fish typically inhabit stretches of river with altered flow, this may reflect the impact of either the fish themselves or the habitat degradation that causes altered flow patterns.

The red-eyed grass snake is listed in Annex III of the Bern Convention and occurs in many protected areas. Measures that may benefit the species include building crossings under roads to reduce roadkill mortality, eliminating invasive fish, and restoring natural river hydrology.

6-4-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - ARABIAN PEA (Bituminaria bituminosa)

Bituminaria bituminosa, the Arabian pea or pitch trefoil, is a perennial Mediterranean herb species in the genus Bituminaria.

The pterocarpans bitucarpin A and B can be isolated from the aerial parts of B. bituminosa.

It has several potential uses: (i) forage crop, (ii) Phytostabilization of heavy metal contaminated or degraded soils, (iii) Synthesis of furanocoumarins (psoralen, angelicin, xanthotoxin and bergapten), compounds of broad pharmaceutical interest.

It is easily recognizable by the characteristic smell of bitumen from its leaves. This strong tar-like characteristic aroma appears to be the result of a combination of several substances such as phenolics, sulphurated compounds, sesquiterpenes and probably short-chain hydrocarbon. Total polyphenols content was < 2% and the condensed tannins was <0.8% in a dry weight basis.

24-2-2026 MADIKWE GAME RESERVE, SOUTH AFRICA - SPOTTED HYENA (Crocuta crocuta)

The spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta), also known as the laughing hyena, is a hyena species, currently classed as the sole extant member of the genus Crocuta, native to sub-Saharan Africa. It is listed as being of least concern by the IUCN due to its widespread range and large numbers estimated between 27,000 and 47,000 individuals. The species is, however, experiencing declines outside of protected areas due to habitat loss and poaching. Populations of Crocuta, usually considered a subspecies of Crocuta crocuta, known as cave hyenas, roamed across Eurasia for at least one million years until the end of the Late Pleistocene. The spotted hyena is the largest extant member of the Hyaenidae, and is further physically distinguished from other species by its vaguely bear-like build, rounded ears, less prominent mane, spotted pelt, more dual-purposed dentition, fewer nipples, and pseudo-penis. It is the only placental mammalian species where females have a pseudo-penis and lack an external vaginal opening.

The social system of the spotted hyena is openly competitive, with access to kills, mating opportunities and the time of dispersal for males depending on the ability to dominate other clan-members and form ally networks. Females provide only for their own cubs rather than assist each other, and males display no paternal care. However, the spotted hyena is also very cooperative with their clan-mates; often hunting, eating, and resting together, and making use of their numeracy and communication skills to fight off a common enemy. Spotted hyena society is matriarchal; females are larger than males and dominate them.

24-2-2026 MADIKWE GAME RESERVE, SOUTH AFRICA - COMMON RED FACED MOUSEBIRD (Urocolius indicus ssp. transvaalensis)

The Red-faced Mousebird (Urocolius indicus) is a common, highly social bird species found in southern and eastern Africa, known for its distinctive red facial skin, long tail, and mouse-like behavior of scurrying through branches. They are known for living in, and feeding in, small, tight-knit groups, making them a common sight in suburban gardens, orchards, and savanna habitats.

Physical AppearanceDistinctive Face: They are easily recognized by the bare, bright red skin around their eyes and the red base of their bill (with a black tip).Size and Color: Approximately \(34\text{ cm}\) (13 inches) long, with their long, stiff tail often making up half of their total length. They have pale cinnamon-colored heads and breasts, with blue-grey upperparts.Crest: They have a prominent crest on their head, which is absent in juveniles.Plumage: The feathers are soft and hair-like, giving them a rodent-like appearance.

Sexes: Male and female look similar.Behavior and EcologySocial Structure: Highly social, they are typically found in small parties of 3 to 10 individuals, although they can form larger groups of up to 15 or more.Movement: They move with a "mouse-like" motion, clambering through bushes and trees, often hanging upside down to reach food.Flight: Flight is typically fast, strong, and direct in a straight line from one area to another.Roosting/Torpor: To conserve energy, they huddle together in tight groups at night and can enter a state of shallow torpor (hibernation) to survive cold temperatures.

6-4-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - MORNING GLORY PLUME MOTH (Emmelina monodactyla)

Emmelina monodactyla (also known as the T-moth or morning-glory plume moth) is a moth of the family Pterophoridae found in Africa, Asia, Europe and North America. It was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758.

The moths fly nearly year-round. They are pale russet in colour, with a wingspan of 18–27 millimeters. The colouration is extremely variable, ranging from off-white with indistinct markings to a strong rust brown. The markings may vary considerably in size. The second and third segments are elongate. The caterpillars are greenish-yellow with a broad green band on the back, and a narrow broken yellow line running down the center. Some specimens may also have a wine-red marking on the back. The colour of the pupae may range from green to reddish brown, sometimes with black markings.

24-2-2026 MADIKWE GAME RESERVE, SOUTH AFRICA - MAGPIE SHRIKE (Corvinella melanoleuca)

 

The magpie shrike (Urolestes melanoleucus), also known as the African long-tailed shrike, is a species of bird in the family Laniidae. It is the only species placed in the genus Urolestes. It is native to the grasslands of eastern and southeastern Africa, where its natural habitats are dry savannah, moist savannah, and subtropical or tropical dry shrubland. It has a very wide range and is common in places, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed its conservation status as being of "least concern".

The magpie shrike is found in Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. It inhabits open savannah with scattered acacia trees, close-grazed turf and bare ground, in parts of southern and central Africa where precipitation mainly occurs between November and April. Arid areas are avoided but semi-arid areas may be favoured. It also occurs in woodland, particularly riparian areas, and in the Kruger National Park is found in river valleys with thorny mopane trees.

The magpie shrike is a gregarious species and usually occurs in noisy groups of about a dozen birds occupying a home range of several tens of hectares. It may associate with other birds such as the white-headed buffalo weaver (Dinemellia dinemelli). The birds nest cooperatively during the rainy season, and their breeding territory is about three hectares and defended from other groups. Displays in the breeding season include bowing, tail flicking, wing raising and whistling. The female sometimes calls from the nest and the male brings her food. The two birds may also perform duets.

This bird perches in an elevated position scanning the ground below for possible prey. Most prey is caught on the ground, but flying insects are sometimes caught in mid air. The diet consists of arthropods, insects, lizards, small mammals and fruit.

24-2-2026 MADIKWE GAME RESERVE, SOUTH AFRICA - SOUTHERN YELLOW BILLED HORNBILL (Tockus leucomelas)

The Southern yellow-billed hornbill (Tockus leucomelas) is a 40–60 cm long bird, nicknamed the "flying banana" for its large yellow beak. Native to southern Africa's savannas and woodlands, it is a ground-foraging omnivore known for a unique nesting behavior where the female seals herself into a tree cavity with mud and droppings. 

Key Facts About the Southern Yellow-Billed Hornbill:

Distinctive Appearance: They have a white belly, black back with white spots, long tail, and bright yellow bill with a small casque. 

Unique Nesting: Females seal themselves inside tree cavities to lay eggs, relying on the male to pass food through a small slit for up to 8 weeks. 

Diet: They are opportunistic foragers, eating insects (termites, beetles), scorpions, seeds, and small vertebrates. 

"Flying Banana": This nickname is derived from their long, curved, yellow bill. 

24-2-2026 MADIKWE GAME RESERVE, SOUTH AFRICA - FAMILIAR CHAT (Oenanthe familiaris)

The familiar chat (Oenanthe familiaris) is a small passerine bird of the Old World flycatcher family Muscicapidae. It is a common resident breeder in Africa south of the Sahara in rocky and mountainous habitat and around human habitation.

The familiar chat is a dumpy short-tailed bird 14–15 cm (5.5–5.9 in) long. The adult's upperparts are a dull brown with warmer brown ear coverts behind the eye. The underparts vary from off-white to pale grey-brown, and the rump and outer tail feathers are rufous with a dark brown tip. The central tail feathers are dark brown. The short straight bill and the legs and feet are black. The sexes are alike, but the juvenile is similar to the adult but has buff spots above and a scaly pattern on the breast.

The familiar chat has a soft "shek-shek" alarm call. The song is a warbling trill.

The familiar chat is monogamous. It breeds between December and March in most of west Africa, but between March and May in Nigeria and mainly between October and November in South Africa. It builds a thick cup-shaped nest of plant material lined with hair, wool and feathers. The nest is usually placed in a hole in the ground, but rock faces and buildings are also used. This species will use nest boxes or a disused sociable weaver nest. The clutch is 2-4 greenish-blue eggs decorated with reddish-brown speckling. The eggs hatch after 13–15 days. The nestlings are fed by both parents and fledge after 13–15 days. Usually only a single brood is raised each year.

4-4-2026 TAVERNES PLAYA, VALENCIA - LITTLE EGRET (Egretta garzetta)

The little egret (Egretta garzetta) is a species of small heron in the family Ardeidae. It is a white bird with a slender black beak, long black legs and, in the western race, yellow feet. As an aquatic bird, it feeds in shallow water and on land, consuming a variety of small creatures. It breeds colonially, often with other species of water birds, making a platform nest of sticks in a tree, bush or reed bed. A clutch of three to five bluish-green eggs is laid and incubated by both parents for about three weeks. The young fledge at about six weeks of age.

Its breeding distribution is in wetlands in warm temperate to tropical parts of Asia, Africa, Australia, and Europe. A successful colonist, its range has gradually expanded north, with stable and self-sustaining populations now present in the United Kingdom.

In warmer locations, most birds are permanent residents; northern populations, including many European birds, migrate to Africa and southern Asia to over-winter there. The birds may also wander north in late summer after the breeding season, and their tendency to disperse may have assisted in the recent expansion of the bird's range. At one time common in Western Europe, it was hunted extensively in the 19th century to provide plumes for the decoration of hats and became locally extinct in northwestern Europe and scarce in the south. Around 1950, conservation laws were introduced in southern Europe to protect the species and their numbers began to increase. By the beginning of the 21st century the bird was breeding again in France, the Netherlands, Ireland and Britain. Its range is continuing to expand westward, and the species has begun to colonise the New World; it was first seen in Barbados in 1954 and first bred there in 1994. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed the bird's global conservation status as being of "least concern".

5-4-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - FALSE SOW THISTLE (Reichardia tingitana)

Reichardia tingitana is a species of plant in the family Asteraceae that is distributed primarily throughout Mediterranean and West Asia. It is known by the common name false sowthistle.

The leaves have an alternate arrangement and are entire with serrated margins. No stipule is present on the petiole.

An annual plant, its flowering period is from March to May. Like most angiosperms, its flowers are hermaphroditic. The petals are of a yellow color.

As a glycophyte, it is accustomed to growing in saline soils. Arid deserts and shrub-steppes are its most common habitats. It also grows well in sandy depressions in the Middle East.

In France, it is a naturalized species. Another country it has been introduced to is Australia, where it is commonly recognized as a minor weed. There its main habitats are urban sites, coastal dunes and alluvial plains.

It has been recorded in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and eastern Saudi Arabia. Common names for it in Arabia are huzan, mureer, and murar. Uses in folk medicine have been recorded in the Middle East, its leaves being used to treat ailments such as constipation, colic and inflamed eyes.

23-2-2026 MADIKWE GAME RESERVE, SOUTH AFRICA - AFRICAN SAVANNA ELEPHANT (Loxodonta Africana)

The African bush elephant (Loxodonta africana), also known as the African savanna elephant, is a species of elephant native to sub-Saharan Africa. It is one of three extant elephant species and, along with the African forest elephant, one of two extant species of African elephant. It is the largest living terrestrial animal, with fully grown bulls reaching an average shoulder height of 3.04–3.36 metres (10.0–11.0 ft) and a body mass of 5.2–6.9 tonnes (5.7–7.6 short tons); the largest recorded specimen had a shoulder height of 3.96 metres (13.0 ft) and an estimated body mass of 10.4 tonnes (11.5 short tons). The African bush elephant is characterised by its long prehensile trunk with two finger-like processes; a convex back; large ears which help reduce body heat; and sturdy tusks that are noticeably curved. The skin is grey with scanty hairs, and bending cracks which support thermoregulation by retaining water. 

The African bush elephant inhabits a variety of habitats such as forests, grasslands, woodlands, wetlands and agricultural land. It is a mixed herbivore feeding mostly on grasses, creepers, herbs, leaves, and bark. The average adult consumes about 150 kg (330 lb) of vegetation and 230 L (51 imp gal; 61 US gal) of water each day. A social animal, the African bush elephant often travels in herds composed of cows and their offspring. Adult bulls usually live alone or in small bachelor groups. During the mating season, males go through a process called musth, a period of high testosterone levels and heightened aggression. For females, the menstrual cycle lasts three to four months, and gestation around 22 months, the longest of any mammal.

23-2-2026 MADIKWE GAME RESERVE, SOUTH AFRICA - AFRICAN SAVANNA ELEPHANT (Loxodonta Africana)

The African bush elephant (Loxodonta africana), also known as the African savanna elephant, is a species of elephant native to sub-Saharan Africa. It is one of three extant elephant species and, along with the African forest elephant, one of two extant species of African elephant. It is the largest living terrestrial animal, with fully grown bulls reaching an average shoulder height of 3.04–3.36 metres (10.0–11.0 ft) and a body mass of 5.2–6.9 tonnes (5.7–7.6 short tons); the largest recorded specimen had a shoulder height of 3.96 metres (13.0 ft) and an estimated body mass of 10.4 tonnes (11.5 short tons). The African bush elephant is characterised by its long prehensile trunk with two finger-like processes; a convex back; large ears which help reduce body heat; and sturdy tusks that are noticeably curved. The skin is grey with scanty hairs, and bending cracks which support thermoregulation by retaining water. 

23-2-2026 MADIKWE GAME RESERVE, S AFRICA - SOUTHEAST AFRICAN CHEETAH (Acinonyx jubatus jubatus),

The Southeast African cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus jubatus) is the nominate cheetah subspecies native to East and Southern Africa. The Southern African cheetah lives mainly in the lowland areas and deserts of the Kalahari, the savannahs of Okavango Delta, and the grasslands of the Transvaal region in South Africa. In Namibia, cheetahs are mostly found in farmlands.[2] In India, four cheetahs of the subspecies are living in Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh after having been introduced there.

The cheetah is a medium-sized cat. An adult male cheetah's total size can measure from 168 to 213 cm (66 to 84 in) and 162 to 200 cm (64 to 79 in) for females. Adult cheetahs are 70 to 90 cm (28 to 35 in) tall at the shoulder. Males are slightly taller than females and have slightly bigger heads with wider incisors and longer mandibles. 

The Southeast African cheetah usually lives on grasslands, savannahs, scrub forests, and arid environments such as deserts and semidesert steppes. These cheetahs can be found in open fields, where they chase and hunt herbivorous mammals such as antelopes at a very high speed. In South Africa, the cheetah also prefers woodlands (in Kruger National Park), shrublands, high mountains, mountainous grasslands, and montane areas where favorable prey are mostly available.

The Southeast African cheetah is currently the most common subspecies and was widespread everywhere in southern to central Africa, ranging from South Africa to the southern Democratic Republic of the Congo (Katanga Province) and southern Tanzania. Its range is now greatly reduced, where it occurs in an area of 1,223,388 km2 (472,353 sq mi), 22% of its original range.

In the past, less than 10,000 cheetahs were hunted in Namibian farmlands. Previously estimated at mere 2,000 individuals since the 1990s, as of 2015, over 3,500 cheetahs live in Namibia today. The country maintains the largest population of wild cheetahs worldwide. About 90–95% of the cheetahs live on Namibian farmlands; others live in the Kalahari Basin, the coastal deserts of Namib and Kaokoveld, and the central to northeastern region of the country. Although Namibian cheetahs are mostly found outside of protected areas, they also live in Naankuse Wildlife Sanctuary, Namib-Naukluft National Park, and Bwabwata National Park. The cheetahs are rather uncommon in Etosha National Park and in Palmwag.

With an approximate population of 2,000 cheetahs as of 2016, Botswana has the second-largest population of cheetahs. They are mostly found in arid habitats of the Central Kalahari, Mokolodi Nature Reserve, and Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (known as Gemsbok National Park in Botswana) in the south, and in the southwest and also in the northern region of the country that holds the largest prey base, such as in Okavango Delta, Chobe National Park, and Moremi Game Reserve. Khutse Game Reserve is also known to contain high abundance of suitable prey base for cheetahs, such as springboks, gemsboks, and wildebeests. Cheetahs are rarely found in the eastern Botswana and at the Zimbabwean border.

In South Africa, cheetahs live in the Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West, and Northern Cape Provinces. After conservation efforts throughout the years, cheetahs have been reintroduced in the eastern, western, and southern parts, and recently in the Free State province of the country. Over 90% of the cheetah population is found outside protected areas such as game reserves and in farmlands. More than 412 cheetahs are in Kruger National Park, subpopulations of 300 to 350 in parks and reserves, and 400 to 500 free-roaming on farmlands in the Limpopo and North West Province, although the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is the stronghold for cheetahs. Kruger and Kalahari Gemsbok National Parks hold the largest populations; they are home to roughly 42% of South Africa's cheetahs. Cheetahs had not always been common in South Africa. As of now, the country contains the third-largest population of cheetahs after years of conservation actions and reintroductions into the wild. In 2016, it is estimated about 1,500 adult cheetahs live in the wild.

22-2-2026 MADIKWE GAME RESERVE, S AFRICA - CAPE WILD DOG (Lycaon pictus ssp. pictus)

The African wild dog (Lycaon pictus), also called painted dog and Cape hunting dog, is a wild canine native to sub-Saharan Africa. It is the largest wild canine in Africa, and the only extant member of the genus Lycaon, which is distinguished from Canis by dentition highly specialised for a hypercarnivorous diet and by a lack of dewclaws.

It is estimated that there are around 6,600 adults (including 1,400 mature individuals) living in 39 subpopulations, all threatened by habitat fragmentation, human persecution and outbreaks of disease. As the largest subpopulation probably consists of fewer than 250 individuals, the African wild dog has been listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List since 1990.

The African wild dog is a specialized hunter of terrestrial ungulates, mostly hunting at dawn and dusk, but also displays diurnal activity. It captures its prey by using stamina and cooperative hunting to exhaust them. Its natural competitors are lions and spotted hyenas: the former will kill the dogs where possible whilst the latter are frequent kleptoparasites. Like other canids, the African wild dog regurgitates food for its young but also extends this action to adults as a central part of the pack's social unit. The young have the privilege of feeding first on carcasses.

The African wild dog has been revered in several hunter-gatherer societies, particularly those of the San people and Prehistoric Egypt.

23-2-2026 MADIKWE GAME RESERVE, S AFRICA - AFRICAN SAVANNA ELEPHANT (Loxodonta Africana)

The African bush elephant (Loxodonta africana), also known as the African savanna elephant, is a species of elephant native to sub-Saharan Africa. It is one of three extant elephant species and, along with the African forest elephant, one of two extant species of African elephant. It is the largest living terrestrial animal, with fully grown bulls reaching an average shoulder height of 3.04–3.36 metres (10.0–11.0 ft) and a body mass of 5.2–6.9 tonnes (5.7–7.6 short tons); the largest recorded specimen had a shoulder height of 3.96 metres (13.0 ft) and an estimated body mass of 10.4 tonnes (11.5 short tons). The African bush elephant is characterised by its long prehensile trunk with two finger-like processes; a convex back; large ears which help reduce body heat; and sturdy tusks that are noticeably curved. The skin is grey with scanty hairs, and bending cracks which support thermoregulation by retaining water. 

The African bush elephant inhabits a variety of habitats such as forests, grasslands, woodlands, wetlands and agricultural land. It is a mixed herbivore feeding mostly on grasses, creepers, herbs, leaves, and bark. The average adult consumes about 150 kg (330 lb) of vegetation and 230 L (51 imp gal; 61 US gal) of water each day. A social animal, the African bush elephant often travels in herds composed of cows and their offspring. Adult bulls usually live alone or in small bachelor groups. During the mating season, males go through a process called musth, a period of high testosterone levels and heightened aggression. For females, the menstrual cycle lasts three to four months, and gestation around 22 months, the longest of any mammal.

The Southeast African cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus jubatus) is the nominate cheetah subspecies native to East and Southern Africa. The Southern African cheetah lives mainly in the lowland areas and deserts of the Kalahari, the savannahs of Okavango Delta, and the grasslands of the Transvaal region in South Africa. In Namibia, cheetahs are mostly found in farmlands. In India, four cheetahs of the subspecies are living in Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh after having been introduced there.

The cheetah is a medium-sized cat. An adult male cheetah's total size can measure from 168 to 213 cm (66 to 84 in) and 162 to 200 cm (64 to 79 in) for females. Adult cheetahs are 70 to 90 cm (28 to 35 in) tall at the shoulder. Males are slightly taller than females and have slightly bigger heads with wider incisors and longer mandibles.  

The Southeast African cheetah usually lives on grasslands, savannahs, scrub forests, and arid environments such as deserts and semidesert steppes. These cheetahs can be found in open fields, where they chase and hunt herbivorous mammals such as antelopes at a very high speed. In South Africa, the cheetah also prefers woodlands (in Kruger National Park), shrublands, high mountains, mountainous grasslands, and montane areas where favorable prey are mostly available.

The Southeast African cheetah is currently the most common subspecies and was widespread everywhere in southern to central Africa, ranging from South Africa to the southern Democratic Republic of the Congo (Katanga Province) and southern Tanzania. Its range is now greatly reduced, where it occurs in an area of 1,223,388 km2 (472,353 sq mi), 22% of its original range.

26-2-2026 WATERFRONT CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - COMMON CAPE WAGTAIL (Motacilla capensis ssp capensis)

The Cape Wagtail (Motacilla capensis) is a common, 18–20 cm long, grey-brown bird found in southern and eastern Africa, easily recognized by its constant tail-wagging behavior. They are highly adaptable and territorial, often found near water, in gardens, or on lawns, feeding on insects, small fish, and household scraps.

Key Facts About the Cape WagtailIdentification: Grey-brown upperparts, off-white underparts, and a dark grey collar on the chest. They have white outer tail feathers visible in flight.

Behavior: They are mostly sedentary (non-migrant) and live in pairs or small groups. They are known for walking on the ground, frantically wagging their tails, and frequently bathing in water.

Diet: Primarily insectivorous, eating flies, ants, beetles, and termites. They are opportunistic feeders and will eat bread, cheese, and raw meat scraps.

Habitat: Extremely adaptable, favoring open areas near water (rivers, lakes, coastlines) but thriving in city parks, gardens, and farmland.

Breeding: They are monogamous pairs that build cup-shaped nests of grass and twigs, often in trees, on ledges, or on the ground.

Voice: A high-pitched, ringing "tseee-chee-chee" call and a complex, twittering song.

Range: Found from Kenya and Uganda down to South Africa, particularly common in the Western Cape.

Interesting NotesTail Wagging: Reasons for their namesake behavior include flushing out insects, communicating with other wagtails, or displaying alertness to predators.

Range Expansion: Often seen in coastal areas and have adapted well to human environments.

Threats: Known predators include cats, rats, and the rufous-breasted sparrowhawk.

26-2-2026 WATERFRONT CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - COMMON TERN (Sterna hirundo)

The common tern (Sterna hirundo) is a seabird in the family Laridae. This bird has a circumpolar distribution, its four subspecies breeding in temperate and subarctic regions of Europe, Asia and North America. It is strongly migratory, wintering in coastal tropical and subtropical regions. Breeding adults have light grey upperparts, white to very light grey underparts, a black cap, orange-red legs, and a narrow pointed bill. Depending on the subspecies, the bill may be mostly red with a black tip or all black. There are several similar species, including the partly sympatric Arctic tern, which can be separated on plumage details, leg and bill colour, or vocalisations.

Breeding in a wider range of habitats than any of its relatives, the common tern nests on any flat, poorly vegetated surface close to water, including beaches and islands, and it readily adapts to artificial substrates such as floating rafts. The nest may be a bare scrape in sand or gravel, but it is often lined or edged with whatever debris is available. Up to three eggs may be laid, their dull colours and blotchy patterns providing camouflage on the open beach. Incubation is by both sexes, and the eggs hatch in around 21–22 days, longer if the colony is disturbed by predators. The downy chicks fledge in 22–28 days. Like most terns, this species feeds by plunge-diving for fish, either in the sea or in freshwater, but molluscs, crustaceans and other invertebrate prey may form a significant part of the diet in some areas. 

Eggs and young are vulnerable to predation by mammals such as rats and American mink, and large birds including gulls, owls and herons. Common terns may be infected by lice, parasitic worms, and mites, although blood parasites appear to be rare. Its large population and huge breeding range mean that this species is classed as being of least concern, although numbers in North America have declined sharply in recent decades. Despite international legislation protecting the common tern, in some areas, populations are threatened by habitat loss, pollution, or the disturbance of breeding colonies.

26-2-2026 WATERFRONT CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - SOUTH AFRICAN WATER THICK NEE (Barhinus Vermiculatus ssp. vermiculatus)

The water thick-knee or water dikkop (Burhinus vermiculatus) is a species of bird in the thick-knee family Burhinidae. The species is found across sub-Saharan Africa, usually close to water.

The water thick-knee has a widespread distribution in sub-Saharan Africa, being found in Angola, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eswatini, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Across its range it is found on the edges of lakes, estuaries and rivers, as well as mangroves and also some sheltered beaches. It also needs bushes or nearby woodlands for shelter. It is found from sea-level to 1,800 m (5,900 ft).

There are two accepted subspecies:

Burhinus vermiculatus vermiculatus — Democratic Republic of Congo to Somalia and South Africa

Burhinus vermiculatus buettikoferi (Reichenow, 1898)[3] — Liberia to Gabon

The water thick-knee is 38 to 41 cm (15–16 in) and weighs 293–320 g (10.3–11.3 oz). It has a heavy bill that is black with some pale yellow from the nostril to the base. The wings are broad and blunt and the tail is short. Its legs are pale greenish yellow, and the iris colour greenish yellow with black tracing.

The water thick-knee is a terrestrial feeder that forages at night. Although it is typically associated with water it can be found foraging up to 1 km (0.62 mi) from water. It feeds on insects, crustaceans and mollusks.

The water thick-knee generally breeds in the dry season or early rainy season. It is a monogamous breeder with both parents guarding the nest and brooding the eggs. The nest is a simple scrape in sandy or stony ground, usually close to water. The clutch size is two sandy-yellow eggs. Both sexes incubate the eggs for 22-25 days, and both are responsible for feeding the young. Unique among birds, thick-knee pairs frequently nest adjacent to and sometimes directly on top of Nile crocodile nests. The two species share a form of symbiotic mutualism with the more energetic and vocal thick-knee functioning as loud sentries for the nests as the more powerful crocodile provides protection. Should a nest raider approach, the thick-knee pair will spread their wings in a threat display and harass and peck at the intruders to drive it off. If the pair not be successful, the mother crocodile will be drawn in by their continued calls and arrive.

26-2-2026 WATERFRONT CAPE TOWN, SA - CROWNED CORMORANT (Microcarbo coronatus)

The crowned cormorant (Microcarbo coronatus) or kuifkopduiker, 'Fringe-head diver', is a small cormorant that is endemic to the waters of the cold Benguela Current of southern Africa. It is an exclusively coastal species and is not found more than 10 km (6 mi) away from land. This species is related to the reed cormorant, and was formerly considered to the same species.

It is found from Cape Agulhas north to Swakopmund along the coast of southern Africa.

The population appears to be between 2500 and 2900 breeding pairs. It breeds in small groups, with fewer than 150 individuals per colony being typical. Ringing recoveries show that juveniles may disperse up to 277 km from their nests, and adults move between breeding sites over 500 km apart.

The crowned cormorant is 50–55 cm in length. Adults are black with a small crest on the head and a red face patch. Young birds are dark brown above, paler brown below, and lack the crest. They can be distinguished from immature reed cormorants by their darker underparts and shorter tail.

Crowned cormorants feed on slow-moving fish and invertebrates, which they forage for in shallow coastal waters and among kelp beds.

26-2-2026 WATERFRONT CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - KELP GULL (Larus dominicanus)

The Kelp Gull, known scientifically as Larus dominicanus, is a robust seabird with a commanding presence along the coasts and islands of the Southern Hemisphere. This species exhibits a striking contrast between its black upper parts and wings, and the pure white of its head, underparts, and tail. The wingtips are adorned with small white "mirrors," adding a touch of elegance to its flight. Adult Kelp Gulls have a yellow bill marked with a red spot and legs of a greenish-yellow hue, which become more vivid during the breeding season.

To identify the Kelp Gull, look for its size, which is intermediate between the lesser and great black-backed gulls of the northern Atlantic. Adults typically measure 54 to 65 cm in length, with a wingspan of 128 to 142 cm. The bill and tarsus measurements are also distinctive, with the bill ranging from 4.4 to 5.9 cm and the tarsus from 5.3 to 7.5 cm. Juveniles can be recognized by their black bill, grey-brown plumage with whitish edges, and a dark band in the tail. They mature over three to four years, gradually acquiring the adult's pale bill base and predominantly white head and underparts.

26-2-2026 WATERFRONT CAPE TOWN, SA - WHITE BELLIED BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica ssp. rustica)

The White-bellied Barn Swallow is typically the juvenile form or specific subspecies (like the nominate H. r. rustica) of the common Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica), characterized by its distinctive pale or creamy-white underparts.

Appearance & IdentificationDistinctive Tail: They possess a long, deeply forked "swallow-tail" with elongated outer streamers. In flight, a row of white spots is visible across the upper tail.

Coloration: Adults have glistening cobalt or steel-blue upperparts, a rufous (reddish-brown) forehead and throat, and a dark blue breast band.

White Underparts: While some subspecies have cinnamon bellies, the "white-bellied" look is common in European populations and juveniles, which are generally paler and browner than adults.

Size: They are roughly sparrow-sized, weighing between 16–22 grams with a wingspan of about 32–35 cm.

Behavior & HabitatAerial Experts: They feed almost exclusively on the wing, catching insects like flies, beetles, and wasps in mid-air. They even drink and bathe while flying by skimming the surface of the water.

Man-Made Neighbors: Originally cave-dwellers, nearly 99% of Barn Swallows now nest on human-made structures like barns, bridges, and under eaves.

Nest Construction: Both parents build a cup-shaped nest using mud pellets mixed with grass, lining it with feathers for comfort.

Global Travelers: They are long-distance migrants, with some individuals traveling over 11,000 km between breeding grounds in the north and wintering sites in the south (e.g., from Europe to South Africa)

Fascinating FactsInsect Command: A single bird can consume hundreds—potentially up to 850—insects a day, providing natural pest control

Extreme Rarity: "True" white swallows (leucistic or albino) are exceptionally rare, occurring in only about one in every several million birds.

National Symbols: The Barn Swallow is the national bird of both Austria and Estonia.

Longevity: Most survive less than four years in the wild, but the oldest recorded individuals have lived past 11 years.

Protective Allies: In North America, they often nest near Ospreys. The swallows get protection from predators, while their alarm calls warn the Ospreys of intruders.

25-2-2026 RHULANI LODGE, MADIKWE SOUTH AFRICA - BROWN LEAF MANTID (Dystacta alticeps)

Dystacta alticeps is a species of praying mantis widely distributed across the African continent. It was first described in 1853 and, until recently, was considered the only species in its genus.

Key CharacteristicsScientific Name: Dystacta alticeps (originally described as Mantis alticeps).

Geographic Distribution: Found throughout Africa, specifically in countries like Angola, Botswana, Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe.

Habitat: Primarily resides in terrestrial environments such as savanna bushveld.

Dietary Lifestyle: It is a carnivore, functioning as an active predator in its ecosystem.