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Thursday, 4 July 2019

27-5-2019 SOMALISA CAMP, ZIMBABWE - BRADFIELD'S HORNBILL (Lophoceros bradfieldi)

27-5-2019 SOMALISA CAMP, ZIMBABWE - CAPE BUFFALO (Syncerus caffer ssp. caffer)










27-5-2019 SOMALISA CAMP, ZIMBABWE - SOUTHERN CORDONBLEU (MALE) (Uraeginthus angolensis)


The blue waxbill (Uraeginthus angolensis), also called southern blue waxbill, blue-breasted waxbill, southern cordon-bleu, blue-cheeked cordon-bleu, blue-breasted cordon-bleu and Angola cordon-bleu, is a common species of estrildid finch found in Southern Africa. It is also relatively commonly kept as an aviary bird.

The blue waxbill has powder-blue face, breast, rump, and flanks with pale brown upperparts. The female is paler than the male and the blue is confined to the rump, tail, head, and upper breast, with the rest of the underparts being buffy brown. They measure 12–13 cm in length.

The call is a soft 'seee-seee', often repeated as bird flits through the lower parts of bush and scrub.
The blue waxbill occurs in southern Africa from Cabinda and the Congo to Kenya and Tanzania in the east south to northern South Africa. It may have been introduced to the islands of São Tomé and to Zanzibar.

The blue waxbill occurs in a variety of habitats but generally prefers well-watered and semi-arid savanna, particularly where umbrella thorns Vachellia tortilis grow, also occupying natural growth in cultivated land, mopane Colosphermum mopane and forest edges.

27-5-2019 SOMALISA CAMP, ZIMBABWE - BLACKSMITH LAPWING (Vanellus armatus)


The Blacksmith lapwing is a large, boldly patterned bird from sub-Saharan Africa, named for its metallic "tink-tink" call that resembles a blacksmith's hammer. It is identifiable by its black, white, and gray plumage, red eyes, and long legs. These birds are highly territorial and aggressive in defending their nests, using a sharp spur on their wings for defense and sometimes attacking much larger animals. 

Physical description

Plumage: A striking black, white, and gray pattern, with a black head and breast, and a white forehead and belly.

Size: Medium-sized, about 30 cm long with long legs.

Unique features: Red eyes and a sharp carpal (wrist) spur used for defense.
Coloration: Juveniles are brownish and spotted, providing camouflage. 

27-5-2019 SOMALISA CAMP, ZIMBABWE - COMMON WATERBUCK (MALE) (Kobus ellipsiprymnus ssp. ellipsiprymnus)




27-5-2019 SOMALISA CAMP, ZIMBABWE - COMMON WATERBUCK (FEMALE) (Kobus ellipsiprymnus ssp. ellipsiprymnus)



26-5-2019 SOMALISA, ZIMBABWE - TAWNY EAGLE (Aquila rapax)



26-5-2019 SOMALISA, ZIMBABWE - SOUTHERN MASKED WEAVER (Ploceus velatus)


26-5-2019 SOMALISA, ZIMBABWE - SAVANNAH 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 (10–11 ft) and a body mass of 5.2–6.9 tonnes (11,000–15,000 lb); the largest recorded specimen had a shoulder height of 3.96 metres (13 ft) and an estimated body mass of 10.4 tonnes (23,000 lb). 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.


Since 2021, the African bush elephant has been listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. It is threatened foremost by habitat destruction, and in parts of its range also by poaching for meat and ivory. Between 2003 and 2015, the illegal killing of 14,606 African bush elephants was reported by rangers across 29 range countries. Chad is a major transit country for smuggling of ivory in West Africa. This trend was curtailed by raising penalties for poaching and improving law enforcement. Poaching of the elephant has dated back to the 1970s and 80s, which were considered the largest killings in history. In human culture, elephants have been extensively featured in literature, folklore and media, and are most valued for their large tusks in many places.


The African bush elephant has grey skin with scanty hairs. Its large ears cover the whole shoulder, and can grow as large as 2 m × 1.5 m (6 ft 7 in × 4 ft 11 in). Its large ears help to reduce body heat; flapping them creates air currents and exposes large blood vessels on the inner sides to increase heat loss during hot weather. The African bush elephant's ears are pointed and triangular shaped. Its occipital plane slopes forward. Its back is shaped markedly concave. Its sturdy tusks are curved out and point forward. Its long trunk or proboscis ends with two finger-like tips.

Average size of adults with the largest recorded individual included
The African bush elephant is the largest and heaviest living land animal. Under optimal conditions where individuals are capable of reaching full growth potential, fully grown mature males are about 3.20 m (10.5 ft) tall at the shoulder and weigh 6.0 t (6.6 short tons) on average (with 90% of fully grown males under optimal conditions being between 3.04–3.36 m (10.0–11.0 ft) and 5.2–6.9 t (5.7–7.6 short tons)). Mature fully grown females are smaller at about 2.60 m (8 ft 6 in) tall at the shoulder and 3.0 t (3.3 short tons) in weight on average under optimal growth conditions (with 90% of fully grown females ranging between 2.47–2.73 m (8 ft 1 in – 8 ft 11 in) and 2.6–3.5 t (2.9–3.9 short tons) in optimal conditions).[17][18][19][20] The maximum recorded shoulder height of an adult bull is 3.96 m (13.0 ft), with this individual having an estimated weight of 10.4 t (11.5 short tons). Another individual with a similar weight of more than 10 t (9.8 long tons; 11 short tons) was found in Kenya in 2025, making it one of the largest elephants ever recorded. Elephants attain their maximum stature when they complete the fusion of long-bone epiphyses, occurring in males around the age of 40 and females around 25 years of age.


The African bush elephant occurs in sub-Saharan Africa which includes Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Zambia, Angola, Malawi, Mali, Rwanda, Mozambique and South Africa. It moves between a variety of habitats, including subtropical and temperate forests, dry and seasonally flooded grasslands, woodlands, wetlands, and agricultural land from sea level to mountain slopes. In Mali and Namibia, it also inhabits desert and semi-desert areas.

Populations of African bush elephants are increasing in some areas such as the Kruger National Park, where an annual growth of 4.2% was recorded between 2003 and 2015. There are estimated to be at least 17,000 elephants in the park's vicinity, as of 2015–the most of any area in South Africa. The increase in population occurred after the discontinuation of culling in the mid-1990s. This large elephant population is considered a problem to both the environment and its creatures. As such, with the use of natural processes, conservationists aim to control the ever-growing population. In other places in southern Africa, the elephant population continues to increase. Botswana in particular hosts more African bush elephants than any other country, at 130,000. In a 2019 study, populations were found to be steady, though the authors also noted an unusual increase in carcasses, possibly due to a new wave of poaching which was uncommon at the time.


In East Africa there are roughly 137,000 elephants distributed across six countries in a wide array of habitats, such as grasslands and woodlands. They are most threatened by illegal hunting activities, such as poaching. In one instance, between 2006 and 2013, the population in East Africa fell by 62% due to high poaching pressures. Tanzania (where 80% of the East African population reside) lost the most elephants, while the resident population in Somalia went locally extinct. South Sudan, on the other hand, experienced an increase in elephants. Following successful conservation and governmental actions, Kenya also saw an increase in their elephant numbers. In Ethiopia, the African bush elephant has historically been recorded up to an elevation of 2,500 m (8,200 ft). By the late 1970s, the population had declined to one herd in the Dawa River valley and one close to the Kenyan border. As of 2015, there are estimated to be 1,900–2,151 elephants in the country, a decrease from 6,000–10,000 in the 1970s. It is estimated that between the 1980s and 2010s, elephants in Ethiopia experienced a decline of around 90%–hence the endangered assessment.

In West and Central Africa, the population of elephants are threatened, in large part due to habitat loss and fragmentation, and rapid growth in human populations. Elephants occur in isolated pockets throughout the region and are for the most part decreasing in number.


The core of elephant society is the family unit, which mostly comprises several adult cows, their daughters, and their prepubertal sons. Iain Douglas-Hamilton, who observed African bush elephants for 4.5 years in Lake Manyara National Park, coined the term 'kinship group' for two or more family units that have close ties. The family unit is led by a matriarch who at times also leads the kinship group. Groups cooperate in locating food and water, in self-defense, and in caring for offspring (termed allomothering). Group size varies seasonally and between locations. In Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Parks, groups are bigger in the rainy season and areas with open vegetation. Aerial surveys in the late 1960s to early 1970s revealed an average group size of 6.3 individuals in Uganda's Rwenzori National Park and 28.8 individuals in Chambura Game Reserve. In both sites, elephants aggregated during the wet season, whereas groups were smaller in the dry season.

Young bulls gradually separate from the family unit when they are between 10 and 19 years old. They range alone for some time or form all-male groups. A 2020 study highlighted the importance of old bulls for the navigation and survival of herds and raised concerns over the removal of old bulls as "currently occur[ring] in both legal trophy hunting and illegal poaching".


The African bush elephant is herbivorous. It is a mixed feeder, consuming both grasses, as well as woody vegetation (browse), with the proportions varying wildly depending on the habitat and time of year, ranging from almost exclusively grazing to near-total browsing. African bush elephants' consumption of woody plants, particularly their habit of uprooting trees, has the ability to alter the local environment, transforming woodlands into grasslands. African bush elephants also at times consume fruit and serve as seed dispersers. Adults can consume up to 150 kg (330 lb) of food per day. To supplement their diet with minerals, they congregate at mineral-rich water holes, termite mounds, and mineral licks.[51] Salt licks visited by elephants in the Kalahari contain high concentrations of water-soluble sodium. Elephants drink 180–230 litres (50–60 US gal) of water daily, and seem to prefer sites where water and soil contain sodium. In Kruger National Park and on the shore of Lake Kariba, elephants were observed to ingest wood ash, which also contains sodium.


Africa bush elephants use their trunks for tactile communication. When greeting, a lower ranking individual will insert the tip of its trunk into its superior's mouth. Elephants will also stretch out their trunk toward an approaching individual they intend to greet. Mother elephants reassure their young with touches, embraces, and rubbings with the foot while slapping disciplines them. During courtship, a couple will caress and intertwine with their trunks while playing and fighting individuals wrestle with them.

Elephant vocals are variations of rumbles, trumpets, squeals, and screams. Rumbles are mainly produced for long-distance communication and cover a broad range of frequencies which are mostly below what a human can hear. Infrasonic rumbles can travel vast distances and are important for attracting mates and scaring off rivals.

Growls are audible rumbles and happen during greetings. When in pain or fear, an elephant makes an open-mouthed growl known as a bellow. A drawn-out growl is known as a moan. Growling can escalate into a roaring when the elephant is issuing a threat. Trumpeting is made by blowing through the trunk and signals excitement, distress, or aggression. Juvenile elephants squeal in distress while screaming is done by adults for intimidation.


African bush elephants mate during the rainy season. Bulls in musth cover long distances in search of cows and associate with large family units. They listen for the cows' loud, very low frequency calls and attract cows by calling and by leaving trails of strong-smelling urine. Cows search for bulls in musth, listen for their calls, and follow their urine trails. Bulls in musth are more successful at obtaining mating opportunities than those who are not. A cow may move away from bulls that attempt to test her estrous condition. If pursued by several bulls, she will run away. Once she chooses a mating partner, she will stay away from other bulls, which are threatened and chased away by the favoured bull. Competition between bulls sometimes overrides the cow's choice of mating partner.[66] After the mating period, females will undergo a gestation of 22 months. The interval between births was estimated at 3.9 to 4.7 years in Hwange National Park. Where hunting pressure on adult elephants was high in the 1970s, cows gave birth once in 2.9 to 3.8 years. Cows in Amboseli National Park gave birth once in 5 years on average.ler than 5 elephants.

26-5-2019 SOMALISA, ZIMBABWE - RED BILLED SPURFOWL (Pternistis adspersus)


The Red-billed Spurfowl is a medium-sized, ground-dwelling bird native to southern Africa, identifiable by its reddish bill, red legs, and a distinctive yellow eye-ring. It prefers dry, bushy habitats like savannas and scrublands, where it forages for seeds, insects, and small plants. These birds are known for their loud, crowing calls and can be found in countries including Angola, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. 

Identification
Color: Predominantly brown or grayish-brown with fine, intricate barring on the belly, head, and back.
Distinctive features: A red bill, red legs, and a broad, yellow eye-ring that is very prominent. Juveniles have a reduced eye-ring and diffuse barring.
Size: Males are larger, about 38 cm (15 in) long, while females are slightly smaller at around 33 cm (13 in). 

Habitat and diet
Habitat: Found in dry savannas, grasslands, woodlands, and scrublands with dense vegetation for cover. They are often seen near rivers and water sources.
Diet: Primarily eats seeds, insects, and small plants. They forage on the ground, often scratching through sandy areas and even animal droppings for seeds. 

Behavior
Call: Makes a harsh, crowing, territorial call, often described as "chak, chak, chak, CHAK, chakitty".
Foraging: Forages for food on the ground, typically in the early morning and late afternoon.
Breeding: The breeding season is year-round and depends on rainfall. Their nest is a simple scrape in the ground, lined with grass. 

Distribution
Native range: Southern Africa.
Countries: Angola, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. 
Other facts
Scientific name: Pternistis adspersus.
Classification: It is a type of game bird in the family Phasianidae.
Scientific name origin: The species name adspersus comes from Latin and means "sprinkling" or "scattered," possibly referring to the bird's speckled appearance.
Predators: Vulnerable to birds of prey and small mammalian carnivores. 

26-5-2019 SOMALISA, ZIMBABWE - DARK CHANTING GOSHAWK (Melierax metabates)


The Dark Chanting Goshawk is a medium-sized raptor found throughout sub-Saharan Africa and parts of the Arabian Peninsula, recognized by its slate-gray plumage, long tail, and orange-red legs and cere. These hawks are generalist hunters, feeding on a wide range of prey including insects, rodents, and small birds, and are known for their melodic "chanting" call. They prefer wooded savanna and other woodland habitats but are adaptable to human-modified landscapes, though they face threats from habitat loss in some areas. 

Plumage: Adults are slate-gray with finer gray and white barring on the belly and underparts. The rump is gray and barred, which helps distinguish it from other chanting-goshawks.

Appearance: The species has a tall, long-tailed shape, with long legs and an upright stance.

Legs and Cere: The legs and cere (the waxy, colored part of the beak) are a distinct orange-red.

Flight: In flight, the wing tips and flight feathers are dark, and the tail has broad black and white bars.

26-5-2019 SOMALISA, ZIMBABWE - MAGPIE SHRIKE (Corvinella melanoleuca)


The Magpie Shrike, also known as the African Long-tailed Shrike, is a striking bird belonging to the family Laniidae. It is characterized by its elongated tail and contrasting black and white plumage, reminiscent of the European magpie, though they are not closely related.

This species can be identified by its long tail, which is almost the length of its body, and its black and white coloration. The bird's back is predominantly black, with white underparts and a white patch on the wing. The head is black with a white belly and flanks, and the eyes are keen and alert.

The Magpie Shrike is native to the grasslands of eastern and southeastern Africa. It thrives in dry savannah, moist savannah, and subtropical or tropical dry shrubland, preferring open areas with scattered acacia trees, close-grazed turf, and bare ground.

This bird is found across a range of African countries, including Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. It is common in places within this range.

The Magpie Shrike is a gregarious and social bird, often found in noisy groups of about a dozen. These groups occupy a home range of several tens of hectares. During the breeding season, they display a variety of behaviors such as bowing, tail flicking, wing raising, and whistling to communicate and establish bonds.


The calls of the Magpie Shrike include a variety of whistles and chatters. During courtship, the male and female may perform duets, which are an integral part of their breeding rituals.

Breeding occurs cooperatively during the rainy season. The birds defend a breeding territory of about three hectares from other groups. The female may call from the nest while the male brings her food, indicating a strong pair bond during this period.

The diet of the Magpie Shrike consists mainly of arthropods, insects, lizards, small mammals, and occasionally fruit. They forage by perching in elevated positions and scanning the ground for prey, adeptly catching most on the ground, though they are also capable of snatching flying insects mid-air.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has assessed the Magpie Shrike as being of "Least Concern," indicating that, at present, there are no immediate threats to its population numbers that would warrant a higher level of concern.

26-5-2019 SOMALISA, ZIMBABWE - GREATER BLUE EARED STARLING (Lamprotornis chalybaeus)


The greater blue-eared starling, or Lamprotornis chalybaeus, is a striking bird adorned in glossy blue-green plumage with a purple-blue belly and a distinctive blue ear patch. This bird measures approximately 22 cm in length and sports a short tail. The iris of this species is a vivid yellow or orange, adding to its captivating appearance. Both sexes exhibit similar coloration, though juveniles can be distinguished by their duller feathers and blackish-brown underparts.

When identifying the greater blue-eared starling, look for its glossy blue-green upperparts and purple-blue belly. The blue ear patch is a key feature, along with its bright yellow or orange iris. Juveniles are less lustrous and have darker underparts. This species can be confused with the lesser blue-eared starling, but the latter's blue belly does not extend forward of the legs.

The greater blue-eared starling is commonly found in open woodland environments, where it thrives and breeds.

This bird has a broad range across the African continent, from Senegal in the west, stretching east to Ethiopia, and then southward through eastern Africa to northeastern South Africa and Angola. It is known to undertake seasonal migrations within this range.


The greater blue-eared starling is a highly social bird, often seen in large flocks that may include other starling species. It is also known to roost communally in reedbeds, thorn bushes, or acacia trees, sometimes sharing these spaces with other birds.

The vocal repertoire of the greater blue-eared starling includes a variety of musical and grating calls. A commonly heard call is a nasal "squee-ar," which is quite distinctive.

Breeding pairs of greater blue-eared starlings make their nests in tree holes, which can be naturally occurring or previously excavated by woodpeckers or barbets. They are also known to utilize the large stick nests of the sacred ibis or Abdim's stork. Their nests typically contain three to five greenish-blue eggs adorned with brown or purple spots. These eggs hatch after about 13–14 days, and the fledglings leave the nest approximately 23 days post-hatching. The species is occasionally parasitized by the great spotted cuckoo and, less frequently, by the greater honeyguide.


An omnivorous bird, the greater blue-eared starling's diet is predominantly insectivorous, foraging mainly on the ground for a variety of invertebrates. It also consumes seeds and berries, with a particular fondness for figs. Additionally, these starlings are known to perch on livestock, picking off insects disturbed by the animals and sometimes removing ectoparasites.

The IUCN Red List classifies the greater blue-eared starling as Least Concern, indicating that the species does not currently face any significant threats to its survival.

4-7-2019 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - JUNE BEETLE (Anoxia australis)


Anoxia australis, commonly known as a "June beetle" or "escarabajo sanjuanero," is a species of beetle in the family Scarabaeidae found in southern and central Europe, including Spain and Portugal. It is a nocturnal or crepuscular insect, with adults feeding on the leaves of trees and the grubs damaging roots in the soil. While adult feeding is often minor, high populations can cause defoliation, and the larvae can damage plants, especially young or stressed trees. Appearance and life cycle Adults: Dark brown and black, oval-shaped beetles, around \(2.2-2.5\) mm long, with hardened wing shells and distinctive white and tan patterned setal bands on their larvae.Larvae: "Grub-like" and hairy, growing up to \(7\) mm long, and feeding on the roots of various plants and grasses.Life cycle: The life cycle is typically about four years. 


After mating, females lay eggs in the soil. The larvae overwinter underground, feed and grow during the following spring and summer, and repeat this process for several years before pupating. Habitat and feeding habits Habitat: Prefers warm, sandy areas and is found on a range of trees and shrubs, including oaks, pines, and ornamental plants.Adults: Primarily feed on the foliage of various trees.Larvae: Feed on the roots of host plants, which can include vegetables, fruit trees, vines, and olive trees. 


Damage and control Adults: Generally cause minor damage, but in high numbers, can cause significant defoliation.Larvae: Can damage the root systems of plants, stunting growth or, in severe cases, killing younger or stressed trees.Control: Control measures include chemical and biological agents, and managing populations in a way that doesn't harm the wider ecosystem. Behavioral characteristics Activity: Adults are active at dusk and dawn, flying to find mates.Flight: Attracted to light, they can be seen flying around lamps.Mating: Adults gather on trees to mate, and sometimes multiple males mate with a single female.Predators: Adults and larvae are preyed upon by other organisms, such as Carabid beetles. 

Wednesday, 3 July 2019

26-5-2019 SOMALISA, ZIMBABWE - GREY GO AWAY BIRD (Crinifer concolor)


The grey go-away-bird (Crinifer concolor), also known as grey lourie, grey loerie, or kwêvoël, is a bold and common turaco of the southern Afrotropics. They are present in arid to moist, open woodlands and thorn savanna, especially near surface water. They regularly form groups and parties that forage in tree tops, or dust bathe on the ground. Especially when disturbed, they make their presence known by their characteristically loud and nasal "kweh" or "go-way" calls, with the last syllable typically a descending drawl. Within their range, their unique appearance and habits preclude confusion with other bird species.

The grey go-away-bird was formally described in 1833 by the Scottish zoologist Andrew Smith from specimens collected inland from Port Natal (now Durban) in South Africa. He coined the binomial name Corythaix concolor. The specific epithet concolor is Latin meaning "uniform", "similar in colour" or "plain". The grey go-away-bird is now placed in the genus Crinifer that was introduced by the Polish zoologist Feliks Paweł Jarocki in 1821.


The sexes are similar. They measure 47–51 cm from bill tip to tail tip, and weigh some 200 to 300 g. They have an almost uniform smoky-grey plumage with long tails and (similar to mousebirds) a wispy, back-swept crest of some 6 to 7 cm in length. The crest can be raised almost vertically when excited. The strong, decurved beak is black and the gape and tongue strikingly pink. The plumage is darkest grey on the chin and throat, and palest around the eyes and on the belly. The breast plumage is washed slightly olive like that of its near relative, the bare-faced go-away-bird.


It is native to southern Angola, southern DRC, Zambia, southern Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Eswatini. It occupies any arid to moist, and relatively open savanna woodlands, especially where Acacia trees are present. They frequent the edges of miombo woodland, and occur commonly along water courses, dry riparian forest and in Acacia woodland on alluvium. It also occurs commonly on farms and in suburban gardens and parks. They require water, and disperse along tributaries of desert rivers when water flows. It is absent from areas that lack suitable fruiting trees, and seems to desert areas where woody plant encroachment occurs. They have no regular migrations, but wander about irregularly in search of food and water.


Close-up views of the pink gape and tongue, and the wispy crest
Though their flight is rather slow and laboured, they can cover long distances. Once in the open tree tops however, they can display the agility which is associated with the Musophagidae, as they run along tree limbs and jump from branch to branch. They can form groups and parties numbering even 20 to 30 that move about in search of fruit and insects near the tree tops.Its diet is mainly fruit (such as wild figs and berries), flowers, buds, leaves, termites, and snails. Fruit are obtained from plants in the genera Ficus, Viscum, Loranthus, Diospyros, Lannea, Ziziphus, Salvadora and Flueggea, among others. They also feed on fruit of exotic invasives like seringa, and disperse their seeds.

The flimsy nest platform is built from fairly thin, and often thorny sticks. It has the appearance of a substantial dove's nest, and their almost round, white eggs can be seen from below. Usually three eggs are laid in a nest that is placed at the center of an isolated tree. The adults share all parental duties, and the chicks start clambering about before they are able to fly. The chicks are covered in dense brownish down, and are fed regurgitated food by the parents. The breeding season is July to August in Angola, April to November in Malawi, August to September in Zambia, Sept and December to April in Namibia, and all months in Zimbabwe and South Africa.

26-5-2019 SOMALISA, ZIMBABWE - EGYPTIAN GOOSE (Alopochen aegyptiaca)


26-5-2019 SOMALISA, ZIMBABWE - CROWNED HORNBILL (Lophoceros alboterminatus)


The crowned hornbill is a medium-sized bird with a black back and wings, a white belly and tail corners, and a yellow eye. It is omnivorous, eating fruits and small animals like lizards and insects. A unique nesting behavior is that the female seals herself in a tree cavity and is fed by the male through a narrow slit until the young are ready to hatch. 

Appearance and size
Size: 50–54 cm (20–21 in) in length, weighing between 180–332 g depending on sex.
Plumage: Sooty-brown with a white eyebrow, white belly, and white tips on its tail feathers.
Bill: Red or orange with a yellowish line at the base and a casque on top. Males have a larger casque than females.
Eyes: Yellow. 


Diet and behavior
Diet: Omnivorous, eating a variety of fruits, seeds, and small animals like lizards, millipedes, termites, and small birds.
Social: Lives in small family groups or flocks.

Habitat: Found in lush woodland, forest, and forest edges in eastern and southern Africa. 

Reproduction and nesting
Nest: Nests in tree cavities, sometimes used repeatedly.
Female behavior: The female seals herself inside the tree cavity with a mixture of droppings, mud, and debris, leaving only a narrow slit for the male to pass food through.
Eggs: Lays 2–5 eggs, typically 3–4.
Incubation: The female incubates the eggs for 25–27 days.
Fledging: Chicks stay in the nest for 46–55 days and must break down the entrance to get out once they are able to fly. 

26-5-2019 SOMALISA, ZIMBABWE - EASTERN FORK TAILED DRONGO (Dicrurus adsimilis ssp. fugax)