15-4-2018 CHOBE RIVER, NAMIBIA - GREAT EGRET (Ardea alba)

The great egret, known scientifically as Ardea alba, is a majestic bird with a stately bearing and an impressive wingspan. This large egret is adorned with all-white plumage and can stand up to a meter tall. It is a cosmopolitan species, found across temperate and tropical regions worldwide.

To identify the great egret, look for its yellow bill and contrasting black legs and feet, which may vary slightly during the breeding season. During this time, the bill may darken, and the lower legs may lighten. The great egret also sports ornamental feathers on its back when in breeding plumage. Both sexes appear identical, and juveniles resemble nonbreeding adults. The great egret can be distinguished from the intermediate egret by the gape of its bill, which extends well beyond the back of the eye.

The great egret favors habitats close to water, such as large lakes with reed beds and other extensive wetlands. It nests in colonies, often at heights of 10 to 40 feet within trees.

This bird has a vast range, occurring worldwide in suitable habitats. It is particularly common across the Sun Belt of the United States and throughout the Neotropics.

The great egret is known for its slow, graceful flight with its neck retracted, a characteristic of herons and bitterns. It walks with its neck extended and wings held close. Generally silent, it may emit a low, hoarse croak when disturbed and a louder croaking at breeding colonies.

The great egret's vocalizations include a low croak when disturbed and various croaking and squawking sounds during the breeding season.

Breeding begins at 2-3 years of age with monogamous pairings. The male initiates nest building to attract a female. The nest is a sizable structure of sticks, lined with plant material. The species lays up to six bluish-green eggs, with both parents sharing incubation duties over 23-26 days. The young are fed by regurgitation and can fly within 6-7 weeks.

The great egret's diet consists of fish, frogs, small mammals, reptiles, crustaceans, and insects. It typically forages in shallow water, standing still or slowly stalking its prey before impaling it with its sharp bill.

15-4-2018 CHOBE RIVER, NAMIBIA - EGYPTIAN WHITE WATER LILY (Nymphaea lotus)

Nymphaea lotus, the white Egyptian lotus, tiger lotus, white lotus, or Egyptian water-lily, is a flowering plant of the family Nymphaeaceae.

It grows in various parts of East Africa and Southeast Asia. Nymphaea lotus var. thermalis was believed to be a Tertiary relict variety endemic to the thermal waters of Europe, for example, the Peţa River in Romania. DNA analysis has concluded that Nymphaea lotus var. thermalis lacks distinctiveness from Nymphaea lotus and therefore cannot be classified as a relic population.

It was introduced into Western cultivation in 1802 by Loddiges Nursery. Eduard Ortgies crossed Nymphaea lotus (N. dentata) with Nymphaea pubescens (N. rubra) to produce the first Nymphaea hybrid, illustrated in Flore des serres 8 t. 775, 776 under the name Nymphaea ortgiesiano-rubra. It is a popular ornamental aquatic plant in Venezuela.

It is a perennial, growing to 45 cm in height. The flower is white, sometimes tinged with pink.

15-4-2018 CHOBE RIVER, NAMIBIA - AFRICAN STONECHAT (Saxicola torquatus)

The African stonechat, Saxicola torquatus, is a small passerine bird of striking appearance. Males are characterized by their black heads, white half-collars, and black tails, with a pronounced white rump. Their wings are black with a conspicuous white patch. The upper breast is a vibrant orange-red, leading to a white or pale orange lower breast and belly. Females, on the other hand, display a more subdued palette with brown upper parts and a chestnut-buff underbelly, and less white on their wings.

When identifying the African stonechat, look for the male's distinctive black head with a white half-collar and the large white patch on the wings. The female is more cryptically colored but can be recognized by her paler eyebrow line and the buff-orange underparts. Both sexes exhibit a white rump that is particularly noticeable in flight.

This species is found across a variety of habitats in sub-Saharan Africa, from open grasslands to shrubby areas, often perching conspicuously on top of vegetation.

The African stonechat has a broad range across sub-Saharan Africa, extending locally to Senegal and Ethiopia. Isolated populations inhabit the mountains of southwest Arabia, Madagascar, and Grande Comore.

The African stonechat is a resident bird, showing little migratory behavior. It tends to stay within its range, moving only short distances if necessary. This has led to significant regional variation and the development of numerous subspecies.

The IUCN Red List classifies the African stonechat as Least Concern, indicating that the species does not currently face a significant risk of extinction.

15-4-2018 CHOBE RIVER, NAMIBIA - WHITE FACED WHISTLING DUCK (Dendrocygna viduata)

The White-faced Whistling Duck, Dendrocygna viduata, is a distinctive species with a long grey bill, elongated head, and relatively long legs. Its plumage is characterized by a black neck and head contrasted with a white face, which can vary in extent regionally. The back and wings are cloaked in dark brown to black, while the underparts are black with fine white barring on the flanks. A chestnut neck completes the ensemble. Both sexes are similarly attired, and juveniles resemble adults but with less pronounced head markings.

When identifying the White-faced Whistling Duck, look for the stark white face against a black head and neck. The species also has a distinctive three-note whistling call that can aid in identification even when the bird is not in sight.

These ducks favor freshwater lakes and reservoirs rich in vegetation, where they can forage for seeds and other plant-based food.

The White-faced Whistling Duck has a curious distribution, found in both sub-Saharan Africa and much of South America. It is thought that human activity may have contributed to their spread across these continents.

This species is known for its sociable nature, often forming large flocks. It is mostly sedentary, though it may undertake local movements of over 100 kilometers in response to environmental conditions.

Breeding sites are typically ground depressions or reed beds. Both sexes incubate the clutch of 6 to 12 eggs, which hatch after 26 to 28 days. The ducklings, with dark down above and yellow below, are tended by both parents and are usually concealed in reeds. They fledge at about two months of age.

The White-faced Whistling Duck is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN and is protected under the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA).

While the White-faced Whistling Duck is quite distinctive, it could potentially be confused with other whistling ducks. However, its unique facial coloration and call usually make it easily distinguishable.

The diet of the White-faced Whistling Duck primarily consists of seeds and other plant materials, which they forage from their aquatic habitats.

In the gentle light of dawn, one might observe the White-faced Whistling Duck, a creature of both beauty and intrigue, as it congregates in flocks that paint the sky with their synchronized flights and fills the air with their melodious calls.

15-4-2018 CHOBE RIVER, BOTSWANA - BLACK WINGED PRATINCOLE (Glareola nordmanni)

The Black-winged Pratincole, Glareola nordmanni, is a distinctive wader, part of the pratincole family, Glareolidae. It measures 24–28 cm in length, with a notable short-legged stature, elongated pointed wings, and a forked tail. Its back and head display a brown hue, while the wings contrast with brown and black flight feathers. The underbelly is white, and the underwings are a striking black.

To identify the Black-winged Pratincole, one must seek very good views, as it can be easily confused with other pratincoles like the Collared Pratincole or the Oriental Pratincole within its range. It is slightly larger than the Collared Pratincole, with shorter tail and longer legs. The dark underwing and absence of a white trailing edge on the wing are key identifiers, though these features can be elusive in the field. The chestnut underwing of the Collared Pratincole may appear black unless seen under excellent conditions.

This species is typically found in open landscapes and is often observed near bodies of water during the evening, engaging in its insect-hunting flights.

The Black-winged Pratincole graces the warmer regions of south-east Europe and south-west Asia. It is a migratory bird, spending winters in tropical Africa, and sightings are rare north or west of its breeding territories.

Breeding

The breeding behavior of the Black-winged Pratincole involves laying 2 to 4 eggs directly on the ground.

A unique aspect of pratincoles, including this species, is their aerial feeding habit, similar to swallows. They catch their insect prey mid-flight, although they are also capable of foraging on the ground.

The Black-winged Pratincole is currently classified as Near Threatened. It is one of the species protected under the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA). The discovery of the Acanthocephalan parasite Apororhynchus paulonucleatus in the intestine of this bird highlights the importance of ongoing research and conservation efforts.

15-4-2018 CHOBE RIVER, BOTSWANA - HIPPOPOTAMUS (Hippopotamus amphibius)

The hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius; /ˌhɪpəˈpɒtəməs/; pl.: hippopotamuses), often shortened to hippo (pl.: hippos), further qualified as the common hippopotamus, Nile hippopotamus and river hippopotamus, is a large semiaquatic mammal native to sub-Saharan Africa. It is one of only two extant species in the family Hippopotamidae, the other being the pygmy hippopotamus (Choeropsis liberiensis or Hexaprotodon liberiensis). Its name comes from the Ancient Greek for "river horse" (ἱπποπόταμος).

After elephants and rhinoceroses, the hippopotamus is the next largest land mammal. It is also the largest extant land artiodactyl. Despite their physical resemblance to pigs and other terrestrial even-toed ungulates, the closest living relatives of the hippopotamids are cetaceans (whales, dolphins, porpoises, etc.), from which they diverged about 55 million years ago. Hippos are recognisable for their barrel-shaped torsos, wide-opening mouths with large canine tusks, nearly hairless bodies, short legs, and large size: adults average 1,500 kg (3,300 lb) for bulls (males) and 1,300 kg (2,900 lb) for cows (females).

Hippos inhabit rivers, lakes, and mangrove swamps. Territorial bulls each preside over a stretch of water and a group of five to thirty cows and calves. Mating and birth both occur in the water. During the day, hippos remain cool by staying in water or mud, emerging at dusk to graze on grasses. While hippos rest near each other in the water, grazing is a solitary activity and hippos typically do not display territorial behaviour on land. Hippos are among the most dangerous animals in the world due to their aggressive and unpredictable nature. They are threatened by habitat loss and poaching for their meat and ivory (canine teeth).

Hippopotamus amphibius arrived in Europe around 560–460,000 years ago, during the Middle Pleistocene. The distribution of Hippopotamus amphibius in Europe during the Pleistocene was largely confined to Southern Europe, including the Iberian Peninsula, Italy, and Greece, but extended into northwestern Europe, including Great Britain (as far north as North Yorkshire), the Netherlands, and western Germany during interglacial periods, such as the Last Interglacial (130–115,000 years ago). The youngest records of the species in Europe are from the Late Pleistocene of Greece, dating to around 40–30,000 years ago.

As of 2017, the IUCN Red List drawn up by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists the species as vulnerable, with a stable population estimated between 115,000 and 130,000 animals. The hippo population has declined most dramatically in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. By 2005, the population in Virunga National Park had dropped to 800 or 900 from around 29,000 in the mid-1970s. This decline is attributed to the disruptions caused by the Second Congo War. The poachers are believed to be Mai-Mai rebels, underpaid Congolese soldiers, and local militia groups. Reasons for poaching include the belief hippos are harmful to society, as well as financial gain. As of 2016, the Virunga hippo population appears to have increased again, possibly due to better protection from park rangers, who have worked with local fishermen. The sale of hippo meat is illegal, but black-market sales are difficult for Virunga National Park officers to track. Hippo meat is highly valued in some areas of central Africa and the teeth may be used as a replacement for elephant ivory.

A population of hippos exists in Colombia, descended from captive individuals that escaped from Pablo Escobar's estate after his death in 1993. Their numbers grew to 100 by the 2020s and ecologists believe the population should be eradicated, as they are breeding rapidly and are an increasing menace to humans and the environment. Attempts to control them include sterilisation and culling.

15-4-2018 CHOBE RIVER, NAMIBIA - REED (LONG TAILED) CORMORANT (Microcarbo africanus)

The Reed Cormorant, also known as the Long-tailed Cormorant, is a diminutive member of the cormorant family Phalacrocoracidae. With an overall length of 50–55 cm and a wingspan stretching 80–90 cm, this bird presents a predominantly black plumage with a green gloss during the breeding season. Notably, it sports silvery wing coverts, a somewhat elongated tail, and a modest head crest. A distinctive red or yellow patch adorns its face, complemented by a yellow bill.

In breeding attire, the Reed Cormorant is resplendent in its glossy greenish-black plumage. The non-breeding adults and juveniles, however, exhibit a browner hue and a white underbelly. Some southern populations maintain their crest throughout the year. Both sexes are similar in appearance, making them indistinguishable in the field.

The Reed Cormorant is quite adaptable, making its home in a variety of freshwater wetlands and tranquil coastal environments.

This species is widespread and common, inhabiting inland and coastal regions across Sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar. It is a resident bird, though it may engage in some seasonal movements.

An adept diver, the Reed Cormorant often forages in shallow waters, occasionally diving to impressive depths. It has a predilection for small, slow-moving fish with elongated bodies, such as mormyrids, catfishes, and cichlids, but will also consume soles, frogs, aquatic invertebrates, and occasionally small birds. Prey is typically brought to the surface before consumption.

15-4-2018 CHOBE RIVER, NAMIBIA - AFRICAN JACANA (Actophilornis africanus)

The African Jacana, Actophilornis africanus, is a distinctive wader known for its remarkable ability to traverse floating vegetation with its elongated toes and claws. This bird exhibits a striking chestnut plumage on its upperparts, complemented by black wingtips, rear neck, and an eyestripe. Adults boast a chestnut underpart, while juveniles display a white underpart with a chestnut belly patch. A blue bill, extending into a coot-like head shield, and grey legs and toes complete its unique appearance.

To identify the African Jacana, look for its long toes and claws, which are adapted for walking on lily pads and other floating vegetation. The adult's chestnut underparts contrast with the juveniles' white underparts and chestnut belly patch. The blue bill with a frontal shield and the bird's size, ranging from 23 to 31 cm in length, are also key identification features.

The African Jacana thrives in shallow lakes, where it can be seen gracefully walking on floating vegetation, a habitat it prefers and is uniquely adapted to inhabit.

This species enjoys a wide distribution across sub-Saharan Africa, where it is commonly found in suitable wetland habitats.

6-8-2018 VILLALONGA RESERVOIR, VALENCIA - LITTLE EGRET (Egretta garzetta)

There was a time when seeing a Little Egret in the UK was cause for celebration, but today they are much easier to spot. Read on to learn where you might find these elegant waterbirds.

Little Egrets are most at home in aquatic and coastal marine environments like estuaries, rocky shores, rivers, lakes, ponds and marshes. They will also feed in flooded terrestrial environments like farmlands.

Little Egrets are a very widespread species, occurring across much of Europe, Southern Asia, Australia, and Africa. In the UK, they are most common in Wales and the southeast coasts of England, although they are spreading inland and further north as far as Scotland.

Little Egrets spend most of their time walking on the ground or through shallow water. They also perch and roost in trees.

Little Egrets remain uncommon over much of the United Kingdom, although they are locally common in some areas. Their population is increasing, and their range has been expanding since they recolonised the British Isles in the 1980s.

Look for Little Egrets in any shallow water environment, particularly in the south and East of England. Norfolk is a popular place for birdwatchers to go and watch them in their natural habitat.

Humans have proved to be the greatest threat to the Little Egret, although these birds are a relatively rare example of a species making a comeback in the modern era.

Little Egrets live for an average of five years, although some individuals have survived for over twenty years.

6-8-2018 VILLALONGA RESERVOIR, VALENCIA - EPAULET SKIMMER DRAGONFLY (MALE) (Orthetrum chrysostigma)

Another pruinose Skimmer species, said to be one of Africa’s most common dragonflies, that has made it up into Spain.

Orthetrum chrysostigma, the epaulet skimmer, is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. It is found in Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Israel, Kenya, Liberia, Libya, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and possibly Burundi as well as Canary Islands, and Portugal. It was recorded in the Maltese Islands in 2010.

Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, dry savanna, moist savanna, subtropical or tropical dry shrubland, subtropical or tropical moist shrubland, rivers, intermittent rivers, shrub-dominated wetlands, swamps, freshwater lakes, intermittent freshwater lakes, freshwater marshes, intermittent freshwater marshes, and freshwater springs. The adults prey on various flying insects. The bodies of adult males are blue, and those of young and females are yellow and brown.

6-8-2018 VILLALONGA RESERVOIR, VALENCIA - BLUE TAILED DAMSELFLY (Ischnura elegans)

The blue-tailed damselfly or common bluetail (Ischnura elegans) is a damselfly, belonging to the family Coenagrionidae.

These damselflies can be found in a wide range of lowland environments, with standing and slow flowing waters, brackish and polluted water.[4]

Ischnura elegans can reach a body length of 27–35 millimetres (1.1–1.4 in) and a wingspan of about 35 millimetres (1.4 in). Hindwings reach alength of 14–20 millimetres (0.55–0.79 in).[5] Adult male blue-tailed damselflies have a head and thorax patterned with blue and black. There is a bi-coloured pterostigma on the front wings. Eyes are blue. They have a largely black abdomen with very narrow pale markings where each segment joins the next. Segment eight, however, is entirely pale blue. At rest, the wings of most damselfly species are held back together, unlike dragonflies, which rest with their wings out flat. The thorax of juvenile males has a green tinge.

Female blue-tailed Damselflies come in a variety of colour forms. Juveniles may be salmon pink, form rufescens; violet, form violacea and a pale green form. The colour darkens as the damselfly ages. Mature females may be blue like the male, form typica; olive green thorax and brown spot, form infuscans or pale brown thorax and brown spot, form infusca-obseleta.

Adults fly from April to September to early October. The adult damselflies prey on small flying insects, caught using their legs like a basket to scoop the prey up while flying, or insects taken from leaves. Damselfly nymphs are aquatic, and prey on small aquatic insects or other aquatic larvae.

A male can try to interfere with a mating pair, by attaching itself to the mating male. The females always lay their eggs on the floating parts of the plants without any involvement of the male.

Blue-tailed Damselflies are superb fliers and can alter each of their four wing's kinematics in order to maneuver. A recent study has shown that they can compensate for a whole wing loss and even successfully maneuver and catch prey.

In damselfly populations, there is often a surplus of males displaying male mate harassment. In order to avoid unwanted mating attempts, females have developed polymorphisms that allow some of them to avoid recognition by males by mimicking male phenotypes. There are three specific morphs found in the Ischnura elegans species: androchromes, aurantiaca(rufescens) and infuscans. The androchromes resemble the male coloration, and the gynochromes, which can be either aurantiaca or infuscan, do not resemble males. The aurantiaca female morph is a pink-orange color with a blue abdominal patch that eventually disappears after maturation. The third morph, infuscan, displays an olive-green coloration with no color on its abdominal patch. Females are able to fully mature into their differing morph colorations just a few days after they finish their transition from aquatic larvae to their mature forms.

Although having an increased number of morphs makes it more difficult for males to distinguish between males from females, the levels of male mate harassment is different between the different morphs. Males primarily rely on visual cues to distinguish between the morphs and can also use odour cues, secondarily. Androchromes are often seen to face less male mate harassment because they resemble males and are less desired.  This gives androchromes an advantage in that they are able to spend more time allowing their eggs to mature instead of exerting energy avoiding unwanted mating attempts. Along with that, the morphs also display different mate avoidance tactics. Androchromes are more likely to face off with males by spreading their wings and curling their abdomens while gynochromes tend to fly away to avoid mating. Despite potentially having more time for egg maturation, the androchromes are still disadvantaged because their abdomens, like males, are more narrow which prevents them from being able to carry as many eggs as gynochromes.

There are also five main hypotheses that attempt to understand how the different female polymorphisms are continually maintained in this species. The reproductive isolation hypothesis states that there is a greater predation pressure on androchromes, which is seen as a trade-off to maintain the more inconspicuous morph. The male-mimicry hypothesis, mentioned previously, proposes that the androchromes ability to mimic male coloration allows them to avoid unwanted mating attempts and allocate more time to egg maturation. The density-dependent hypothesis states that the maintenance of the polymorphisms is attributed to the changing population densities. The habituation hypothesis states that males are actually most attracted to the morph that is most abundant. Lastly, the neutral hypothesis proposes that the female morphs are maintained by genetic drift, mutations, and founders effect all working together as well as that they might be more neutral to selection.

13-4-2018 CHOBE RIVER, NAMIBIA - WIRE TAILED SWALLOW (Hirundo smithii)

The wire-tailed swallow (Hirundo smithii) is a small passerine bird in the swallow family. It has two subspecies: H. s. smithii, which occurs throughout Africa, and H. s. filifera, which is found in southern and southeastern Asia. It is mainly resident, but populations in Pakistan and northern India migrate further south in winter. The genus name Hirundo is the Latin word for swallow. The species name smithii commemorates Christen Smith, a Norwegian botanist and geologist.

The wire-tailed swallow, Hirundo smithii, is a diminutive and agile passerine, a member of the swallow family. It is adorned with a lustrous blue plumage on its upperparts and a stark white on the underparts. A chestnut cap crowns its head, adding a touch of warmth to its appearance. The species is particularly noted for its elongated outermost tail feathers, reminiscent of fine wires trailing in flight. These distinctive "wires" are more pronounced in males than in females.

14-4-2018 CHOBE RIVER, NAMIBIA - SOUTHERN GREY HEADED SPARROW (passer diffusus ssp. diffusus)

The Southern grey-headed sparrow (Passer diffusus) is a charming member of the sparrow family Passeridae. This bird is recognized by its distinctive grey head, which contrasts with its brown back and wings, and a pale underbelly.

When trying to identify this species, look for the grey head without a pattern, which is a key distinguishing feature. The bird's upperparts are brown, and the underparts are a lighter shade, providing a subtle contrast that can be quite helpful for identification.

The Southern grey-headed sparrow (Passer diffusus) is a charming member of the sparrow family Passeridae. This bird is recognized by its distinctive grey head, which contrasts with its brown back and wings, and a pale underbelly.

When trying to identify this species, look for the grey head without a pattern, which is a key distinguishing feature. The bird's upperparts are brown, and the underparts are a lighter shade, providing a subtle contrast that can be quite helpful for identification.

This sparrow favors savanna and woodland areas, where it can be seen flitting about in search of sustenance or engaging in social activities with its kin.

The Southern grey-headed sparrow is found across a swath of the African continent, from Angola and Zambia, stretching southwards into South Africa. Here, it has been expanding its range, becoming a more familiar sight in suitable habitats.

In its natural environment, the Southern grey-headed sparrow exhibits typical sparrow behaviors such as social flocking and active foraging. It is also known to be kept as a caged bird, much like its relative, the white-rumped seedeater.

BirdLife International has assessed the Southern grey-headed sparrow as being of Least Concern. This status indicates that, currently, there are no immediate threats to the population levels of this species, allowing bird enthusiasts to breathe a sigh of relief for the time being.

The Southern grey-headed sparrow, with its unassuming appearance and adaptable nature, continues to thrive in the African wilderness, much to the delight of birdwatchers and ornithologists alike.

14-4-2018 CHOBE RIVER, NAMIBIA - NILE CROCODILE (Crocodylus niloticus)

The Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) is a large crocodilian native to freshwater habitats in Africa, where it is present in 26 countries. It is widely distributed in sub-Saharan Africa, occurring mostly in the eastern, southern, and central regions of the continent, and lives in different types of aquatic environments such as lakes, rivers, swamps and marshlands. It occasionally inhabits deltas, brackish lakes and rarely also saltwater. Its range once stretched from the Nile Delta throughout the Nile River. Lake Turkana in Kenya has one of the largest undisturbed Nile crocodile populations.

Generally, the adult male Nile crocodile is between 3.5 and 5 m (11 ft 6 in and 16 ft 5 in) in length and weighs 225 to 750 kg (496 to 1,653 lb).[5][6] However, specimens exceeding 6.1 m (20 ft) in length and 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) in weight have been recorded. It is the largest predator in Africa, and may be considered the second-largest extant reptile in the world, after the saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus).[8][9] Size is sexually dimorphic, with females usually about 30% smaller than males. The crocodile has thick, scaly, heavily armoured skin.

Nile crocodiles are opportunistic apex predators; a very aggressive crocodile, they are capable of taking almost any animal within their range. They are generalists, taking a variety of prey, with a diet consisting mostly of different species of fish, reptiles, birds, and mammals. As ambush predators, they can wait for hours, days, and even weeks for the suitable moment to attack. They are agile predators and wait for the opportunity for a prey item to come well within attack range. Even swift prey are not immune to attack. Like other crocodiles, Nile crocodiles have a powerful bite that is unique among all animals, and sharp, conical teeth that sink into flesh, allowing a grip that is almost impossible to loosen. They can apply high force for extended periods of time, a great advantage for holding down large prey underwater to drown.

Nile crocodiles are relatively social. They share basking spots and large food sources, such as schools of fish and big carcasses. Their strict hierarchy is determined by size. Large, old males are at the top of this hierarchy and have first access to food and the best basking spots. Crocodiles tend to respect this order; when it is infringed, the results are often violent and sometimes fatal. Like most other reptiles, Nile crocodiles lay eggs; these are guarded by the females but also males, making the Nile crocodiles one of few reptile species whose males contribute to parental care. The hatchlings are also protected for a period of time, but hunt by themselves and are not fed by the parents.

The Nile crocodile is one of the most dangerous species of crocodile and is responsible for hundreds of human deaths every year. It is common and is not endangered, despite some regional declines or extirpations in the Maghreb.

15-4-2018 CHOBE RIVER, BOTSWANA - WHITE HEADED LAPWING (Vanellus albiceps)

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.

This species is typically found in tropical Africa, favoring habitats near large rivers. It thrives in areas where sand or shingle is exposed, providing suitable breeding grounds.

The White-crowned Lapwing is a resident bird throughout tropical Africa, maintaining a presence year-round near its preferred riverine environments.

The White-crowned Lapwing is known for its breeding behavior, where it lays 2-3 eggs in a ground scrape near rivers. It is fiercely protective of its nest and young, defending them with vigor against any potential threats, regardless of size. Outside of breeding season, it is common to see these birds feeding in small flocks, where they forage for insects and other small invertebrates.

A diet primarily composed of insects and small invertebrates sustains the White-crowned Lapwing. It often feeds in small groups, especially when not engaged in breeding activities.

The White-crowned Lapwing is currently classified as Least Concern by the IUCN. It is also a species protected under the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA), ensuring international efforts are made to safeguard its future.

15-4-2018 CHOBE RIVER, NAMIBIA - AFRICAN PIED KINGFISHER (Ceryle rudis ssp rudis)

The pied kingfisher (Ceryle rudis) is a striking water kingfisher, known for its black and white plumage and distinctive crest. It is a medium-sized bird, approximately 25 cm in length, with a white face featuring a black mask and a white supercilium. The male is characterized by a double band across the breast, while the female sports a single, often broken, breast band.

When identifying the pied kingfisher, look for its unique black and white barred pattern and prominent crest. The male's double breast band and the female's single broken band are key differentiators between the sexes. The subspecies vary slightly in size and coloration, with some having larger bills or reduced white in their plumage.

This kingfisher is commonly found perched along the edges of clear lakes and rivers, where it can easily spot and dive for fish.

The pied kingfisher is widely distributed across sub-Saharan Africa and southern Asia, from Turkey to India and China. It is a resident species, with most populations not engaging in long migrations.

The pied kingfisher is often seen bobbing its head and flicking its tail while perched. It is a sociable bird, known to form large roosts at night. Its flight is direct and rapid, sometimes reaching speeds close to 50 km/h.

This species is quite vocal, emitting sharp "chirruk chirruk" notes that contribute to its presence being easily detected.

Breeding season for the pied kingfisher typically occurs from February to April in India. They nest in holes excavated in vertical mud banks above water. The nests are tunnel-like, leading to a chamber where a clutch of three to six white eggs is laid. Cooperative breeding is observed in this species, with non-breeding offspring from previous broods assisting in raising the young.

The pied kingfisher can be confused with other black and white kingfishers, but its size, habitat preference, and behavior make it distinctive.

Primarily piscivorous, the pied kingfisher feeds on fish, crustaceans, and large aquatic insects. It employs a unique hunting technique of hovering over water before diving headfirst to catch prey. It is capable of consuming its catch mid-flight, allowing it to hunt over large bodies of water.

The pied kingfisher is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, indicating that it is not at immediate risk of population decline.

15-4-2018 CHOBE RIVER, BOTSWANA - WATER THICK NEE (Barhinus Vermiculatus)

The Water Thick-knee, also known as the Water Dikkop (Burhinus vermiculatus), presents a striking figure with its 38 to 41 cm (15–16 in) stature and a weight range of 293–320 g (10.3–11.3 oz). This bird is characterized by a robust bill, black with a hint of yellow at the base, broad and blunt wings, and a rather short tail.

When identifying the Water Thick-knee, look for its heavy bill with a yellow base, which is quite distinctive. The wings are broad and blunt, which can be observed when the bird stretches them. The tail is short, which is noticeable when the bird is in flight or when it fans its tail feathers.

The Water Thick-knee is typically found along the edges of lakes, estuaries, and rivers. It also frequents mangroves and some sheltered beaches, often requiring nearby bushes or woodlands for shelter. Its habitat range extends from sea level up to 1,800 m (5,900 ft).

This species enjoys a widespread distribution across sub-Saharan Africa, with sightings reported in countries such as Angola, Botswana, Burkina Faso, and many others, all the way to South Africa.

The Water Thick-knee is a nocturnal terrestrial feeder, often venturing up to 1 km (0.62 mi) away from water to forage. It is known for its unique nesting behavior, often laying its eggs adjacent to or directly on top of Nile crocodile nests, engaging in a symbiotic mutualism with the crocodiles.

5-8-2018 VILLALONGA RESERVOIR, VALENCIA - LITTLE EGRET (Egretta garzetta)

With its yellow feet, which are used to flush prey when feeding in shallow water, the Little Egret is a distinctive member of the heron family. Little Egrets first bred in Britain in 1996 and since then have successfully colonised much of southern Britain and Ireland.

Little Egrets first bred in Britain in 1996 and since then have successfully colonised much of southern Britain and Ireland. Most of the breeding colonies have been established within existing Grey Heron colonies, the two species nesting alongside one another.

The winter distribution is also currently restricted to the southern half of Britain & Ireland, despite the fact that young birds are known to move some distance from their natal site.

The little egret, a captivating member of the heron family, Ardeidae, has long enchanted observers with its elegant appearance. Boasting a slender body, pristine white plumage, and long black legs, this bird is the epitome of grace and poise. Found throughout Europe, Africa, Asia, and even as far as Australia, the little egret has a wide distribution, allowing it to grace numerous landscapes and ecosystems with its beauty.

While the little egret itself may not feature prominently in folklore or myths, it is worth noting that its close relatives, the herons and egrets, do have cultural significance in various parts of the world. For instance, in Japanese folklore, the white heron is a revered figure that is often associated with purity, elegance, and transformation. These transformed herons, known as “sagi musume,” are believed to have the ability to take on the form of beautiful women, and are depicted in various forms of traditional Japanese art and theater. This cultural association highlights the admiration and respect for the little egret’s larger family of birds and the captivating charm they possess.

Little egrets favor wetland environments such as marshes, swamps, rivers, lakes, and coastal areas. Their adaptability allows them to thrive in various climates, from temperate to tropical regions. In some parts of the world, these birds are migratory, while in other regions, they maintain a more sedentary lifestyle.

An anecdote that illustrates the adaptability of the little egret can be found in the United Kingdom. Once a rare visitor, this bird has expanded its range and now breeds regularly across southern England, delighting local birdwatchers with its elegant presence.

The little egret’s diet primarily consists of fish, crustaceans, and aquatic insects. They employ various feeding techniques, such as:

Walking through shallow water and using their yellow feet to stir up prey

Employing a “stand and wait” strategy to ambush prey

As opportunistic feeders, little egrets are known to adapt their diet based on available food sources. In one fascinating instance, a little egret was observed using a piece of bread as bait to catch fish in an urban park, demonstrating their intelligence and resourcefulness.

5-8-2018 VILLALONGA RESERVOIR, VALENCIA - VIOLET DROPWING DRAGONFLY (MALE) (Trithemis annulata)

Trithemis annulata, commonly known as the violet dropwing, violet-marked darter, purple-blushed darter, or plum-coloured dropwing, is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. It is found in most of Africa, the Middle East, and southern Europe. These dragonflies are called dropwings because of their habit of immediately lowering their wings after landing on a perch. Males of this species are violet-red with red veins in the wings, while females are yellow and brown. Both sexes have red eyes.

Trithemis annulata is found in most of Africa and also in France, Cyprus, Greece, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Mauritius, Oman, Portugal, Qatar, Réunion, Syria, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. It was also recorded in the Maltese islands in 2005 and found breeding there in 2007 With the advent of global warming, it is increasing its range northwards in Europe and in the late 1990s advanced from southern Spain and southern Italy into France, and from Greece and Turkey into Central Europe. One such place where it has become established is the floodplain of the River Ebro in northeastern Spain.

5-8-2018 VILLALONGA RESERVOIR, VALENCIA - EPAULET SKIMMER DRAGONFLY (MALE) (Orthetrum chrysostigma)

Orthetrum chrysostigma, the epaulet skimmer, is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. It is found in Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Libya, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and possibly Burundi as well as Canary Islands, Israel, and Portugal. It was recorded in the Maltese Islands in 2010. One was also spotted in Tel Aviv, Israel in August 2022.

Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, dry savanna, moist savanna, subtropical or tropical dry shrubland, subtropical or tropical moist shrubland, rivers, intermittent rivers, shrub-dominated wetlands, swamps, freshwater lakes, intermittent freshwater lakes, freshwater marshes, intermittent freshwater marshes, and freshwater springs. The adults prey on various flying insects. The bodies of adult males are blue, and those of young and females are yellow and brown.

Very widespread and occurs virtually throughout Africa, including North Africa. It also occurs in parts of Southern Europe and the Middle East. In South Africa it occurs virtually throughout, but is scarce in the dry central regions.

The Epaulet Skimmer is a southern European and African dragonfly. A little similar to the Keeled Skimmer of the UK, it has a narrow elongated body with central raised "keel". Above is the attractive pale blue male with turquoise eyes, but the "epaulet" marking on the thorax that gives it its name is not often clear and darkens with age.