14-3-2026 CALYPSO BAR, THE GAMBIA - BLACK CASQUED HORNBILL (Ceratogymna atrata)

The black-casqued hornbill (Ceratogymna atrata), or black-casqued wattled hornbill, is a species of hornbill in the family Bucerotidae. It is found fairly commonly across sub-Saharan Africa, being known from Sierra Leone and Liberia in Western Africa (as well as most of the West African nations along the Gulf of Guinea), south to Angola and east to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and western Uganda. They are currently considered of near threatened, and their population is declining.

The black-casqued hornbill is a large, mostly black bird with bare-skinned blue wattles and skin around their eyes. Adult birds are typically between 60 and 70 cm (24 and 28 in) long, and can be distinguished from the similar yellow-casqued hornbill by the white scales found in their plumage. They are readily identifiable as a member of the hornbill family by the eponymous casque structure that the birds develop on their beaks as they mature.

14-3-2026 CAPE POINT BANJUL, THE GAMBIA - RED BILLED FIREFINCH (MALE) (Lagonosticta senegala)

The red-billed firefinch (Lagonosticta senegala), or Senegal firefinch, is a small (10 cm) seed-eating bird found throughout Sub-Saharan African savanna and human settlements. It is identified by its small pinkish-red bill, yellow-green eye ring, and brownish undertail. Males are largely scarlet-pink, while females are brown with small pink patches on their face and rump. 

Key Facts about Red-billed Firefinches

Habitat & Behavior: These birds are highly social (gregarious) and often seen in pairs or small flocks foraging on the ground for grass seeds. They often inhabit cultivated areas, savannahs, and areas around human homes. 

Appearance: Males are largely red (scarlet plumage) with brown wings, while females have brown upperparts with pink on their tails and faces, and a small patch of red behind the eye. Both sexes have pink, yellow-ringed eyes. 

14-3-2026 CAPE POINT BANJUL, THE GAMBIA - RED BILLED FIREFINCH (FEMALE) (Lagonosticta senegala)

The red-billed firefinch (Lagonosticta senegala), or Senegal firefinch, is a small (10 cm) seed-eating bird found throughout Sub-Saharan African savanna and human settlements. It is identified by its small pinkish-red bill, yellow-green eye ring, and brownish undertail. Males are largely scarlet-pink, while females are brown with small pink patches on their face and rump. 

Key Facts about Red-billed Firefinches

Habitat & Behavior: These birds are highly social (gregarious) and often seen in pairs or small flocks foraging on the ground for grass seeds. They often inhabit cultivated areas, savannahs, and areas around human homes. 

Appearance: Males are largely red (scarlet plumage) with brown wings, while females have brown upperparts with pink on their tails and faces, and a small patch of red behind the eye. Both sexes have pink, yellow-ringed eyes. 

14-3-2026 CAPE POINT BANJUL, THE GAMBIA - COMMON BULBUL (Pycnonotus barbatus)

The common bulbul (Pycnonotus barbatus) is a member of the bulbul family of passerine birds. It is widespread throughout most of Africa except for the very arid areas, and has recently begun breeding in southernmost Spain. Ten subspecies are recognised based on the geographical variation in plumage. Some of these were formerly considered as separate species: Dodson's bulbul, the Somali bulbul and the dark-capped bulbul.

The common bulbul is 18–20 cm (7.1–7.9 in) in length, with a long tail. The sexes are similar in plumage but the male is on average larger. It has a dark brown head and brown upperparts. The underparts are dull grey. The bill is fairly short and thin, with a slightly downwards curving upper mandible. The bill, legs, and feet are black and the eye is dark brown with a dark eye-ring, which is not readily visible. Subspecies P. b. dodsoni, P. b. spurius, P. b. tricolor and P. b. layardi have yellow undertail coverts. The call is a loud doctor-quick doctor-quick be-quick be-quick.

14-3-2026 CAPE POINT BANJUL, THE GAMBIA - FORK TAILED DRONGO (Dicrurus adsimilis)

 The fork-tailed drongo (Dicrurus adsimilis), also called the common drongo or African drongo, is a small bird found from the Sahel to South Africa that lives in wooded habitats, particularly woodlands and savannas. They are part of the family Dicruridae and have four recognized subspecies, D. a adsimilis, D. a. apivorus, D. a. fugax and D. a. jubaensis. Like other drongos, the fork-tailed is mostly insectivorous; its diet mainly consists of butterflies, termites, and grasshoppers.

Physically, this species is characterized with a narrow fork-shaped tail, red-brownish eyes, and black plumage throughout all of its body.

The fork-tailed drongo is known for its ability to deceptively mimic other bird alarm calls in order for a certain animal to flee the scene so it can steal their food (kleptoparasitism). They are also notorious for displaying an aggressive and fearless behaviour by attacking and chasing off much larger animals, including birds of prey, when their nest or young are threatened. Due to its extensive range and stable population, the fork-tailed drongo is classified by the IUCN Red List as a least-concern species.

The fork-tailed drongo is a common and widespread resident breeder in Africa south of the Sahara. These insect-eating birds are usually found in open woodland, savanna and forest edge and are tolerant of arid climates. Its range was formerly considered to include Asia, but the Asian species is now called the black drongo (D. macrocercus). The bird can be found at heights as high as 2200 meters.

The bird has a robust black beak and red eyes. Young birds are born without feathers, with reddish skin, an orange mouth, yellow gape flanges, brown eyes and a black beak. Adolescent birds are dark brown with a few buff-colored feather tips, less defined tail fork, brown or grey eyes, and a pale-colored mouth. They look similar to adults but lack shine on the lower body and have pale feathers on certain parts. Both males and females have black bodies with a blue-green sheen on certain areas. The belly and lower body are entirely black in contrast to the glossy black-blue upper body. The long tail is deeply forked and black. The tail measures around 115–126 mm in length and 19–23 mm in depth. They have short legs and a wingspan of 134 mm. These birds have a bill depth of 0,4 mm and a bill length of 2.8 mm.

After breeding, adult birds undergo a full molt, typically occurring from December to March in Southern Africa and varying months in other regions. Young birds retain their immature plumage until the next breeding season. The post-juvenile molt is a partial process that begins before the growth of new wing and tail feathers after the nesting period. Leucism has been spotted in the fork-tailed drongo.

14-3-2026 CAPE POINT BANJUL, THE GAMBIA - SPUR WINGED LAPWING (Vanellus spinosus)

The spur-winged lapwing (Vanellus spinosus) is a, noisy, medium-large wader found in Africa and the Mediterranean. Known for its striking black-white-brown plumage, it uses sharp, hidden wing spurs to aggressively defend its ground-nesting territory. These birds are often found near water and are active day and night. 

Key Facts

Scientific Name and Meaning: Vanellus spinosus. Vanellus comes from the Latin for "little fan" (a name for lapwings), and spinosus refers to the spur on the wing. 

Habitat: They prefer wet areas near lakes, coastal marshes, cultivated fields, and open areas. 

Eggs and Breeding: Females lay 2-4 brown-speckled, camouflaged eggs in a simple, small hole (scrape) on the ground. 

Gestation Period: Eggs are incubated by both parents for approximately 21-28 days. 

 Appearance: They stand about 12 inches tall, featuring a black crown, white cheeks/sides of neck, and light brown wings. 

14-3-2026 CAPE POINT BANJUL, THE GAMBIA - NORTHERN GREY HEADED SPARROW (Passer griseus)

The northern grey-headed sparrow (Passer griseus), also known as the grey-headed sparrow, is a species of bird in the sparrow family Passeridae, which is resident in much of tropical Africa. It occurs in a wide range of open habitats, including open woodlands and human habitation, often occupying the same niche as the house sparrow does in Eurasia.

The adult northern grey-headed sparrow has a pale grey head with a white moustache stripe, pale brown upperparts, whitish underparts and chestnut wings with a small white shoulder patch. The sexes are similar, but young birds are slightly duller and lack the white wing patch. There are three subspecies, differing in plumage tone, especially with regard to the darkness of the head.

This sparrow is mainly resident in its range, but there is some seasonal movement, and flocks of up to 50 birds form outside the breeding season. It builds a cup nest in trees, thatch, or old nests of other birds; 2–4 eggs are laid.

This species feeds principally on seeds and grain, like other sparrows, but will readily take insects including termites, especially when feeding young.[

The calls include cheeps and chirps, and the typical sparrow churrg alarm call.

14-3-2026 KOTU CREEK, THE GAMBIA - BEAUTIFUL SUNBIRD (MALE) (Cinnyris pulchellus)

The beautiful sunbird (Cinnyris pulchellus), formerly placed in the genus Nectarinia, is a small passerine bird in the sunbird family Nectariniidae. It is native to tropical Africa, its range extending from Senegal and Guinea in the west to Sudan, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Tanzania and Kenya in the east. It was formerly considered to be conspecific with the gorgeous sunbird (Cinnyris melanogastrus).

Beautiful sunbirds are tiny, only 10 cm (4 in) long, although the breeding male's long tail adds another 5 cm (2 in). They have medium-length thin down-curved bills and brush-tipped tubular tongues, both of which are adaptations to their nectar feeding. The male has a black head, bright metallic green upper parts, scarlet breast bordered with yellow and black belly. The central feathers of the teal are greatly elongated. The female is brown above with yellowish underparts.

14-3-2026 KOTU CREEK, BANJUL - VILLAGE WEAVER (Ploceus cucullatus)

 The village weaver (Ploceus cucullatus), also known as the spotted-backed weaver or black-headed weaver (the latter leading to easy confusion with P. melanocephalus), is a species of bird in the family Ploceidae found in much of sub-Saharan Africa. It has also been introduced to Portugal and Venezuela as well as to the islands of Hispaniola, Martinique, Puerto Rico, Mauritius and Réunion.

This often abundant species occurs in a wide range of open or semiopen habitats, including woodlands and human habitation, and frequently forms large noisy colonies in towns, villages, and hotel grounds. This weaver builds a large coarsely woven nest made of grass and leaf strips with a downward-facing entrance, which is suspended from a branch in a tree. Two or three eggs are laid. Village weavers are colonial breeders, so many nests may hang from one tree.

Village weavers feed principally on seeds and grain, and can be a crop pest, but readily take insects, especially when feeding young, which partially redresses the damage to agriculture. The calls of this bird include harsh buzzes and chattering.

14-3-2026 KOTU CREEK, THE GAMBIA - COMMON BULBUL (Pycnonotus barbatus)

The common bulbul (Pycnonotus barbatus) is a member of the bulbul family of passerine birds. It is widespread throughout most of Africa except for the very arid areas, and has recently begun breeding in southernmost Spain. Ten subspecies are recognised based on the geographical variation in plumage. Some of these were formerly considered as separate species: Dodson's bulbul, the Somali bulbul and the dark-capped bulbul.

The common bulbul is 18–20 cm (7.1–7.9 in) in length, with a long tail. The sexes are similar in plumage but the male is on average larger. It has a dark brown head and brown upperparts. The underparts are dull grey. The bill is fairly short and thin, with a slightly downwards curving upper mandible. The bill, legs, and feet are black and the eye is dark brown with a dark eye-ring, which is not readily visible. Subspecies P. b. dodsoni, P. b. spurius, P. b. tricolor and P. b. layardi have yellow undertail coverts. The call is a loud doctor-quick doctor-quick be-quick be-quick

14-3-2026 KOTU CREEK, THE GAMBIA - GREATER PAINTED SNIPE (Rostratula benghalensis)

The greater painted-snipe (Rostratula benghalensis ) is a species of wader in the family Rostratulidae. It is found in marshes in Africa, South Asia and South-east Asia.

Medium-sized, plump wading bird. Long reddish-brown bill, slightly decurved at tip, and distinct white or pinkish eye patch. Rounded, buff-spotted wings and short tail. White of breast extends up around top of folded wing. The painted-snipe is not related to the true snipes and differs from them in habits, flight and appearance, being far more colorful and having longer legs than the snipes. It is unusual in that the female is larger and more brightly colored than the male, with the sides of the head, neck and throat a rich chestnut brown, and a distinct black band across the breast; the male is paler and greyer.

16-3-2026 MINDELO, CAP VERDE - CAP VERDE SPARROW (FEMALE) (Passer iagoensis)

The Iago sparrow (Passer iagoensis), also known as the Cape Verde or rufous-backed sparrow, is a passerine bird of the sparrow family Passeridae. It is endemic to the Cape Verde archipelago, in the eastern Atlantic Ocean near western Africa. Females and young birds have brown plumage with black marks above, and a dull grey underside, and are distinguished from other species of sparrow by their large, distinct supercilium. Males have a brighter underside and bold black and chestnut stripes on their head. At 12.5–13 centimetres (4.9–5.1 in) long, it is a smaller sparrow. This bird's vocalisations are mostly variations on its chirp, which differ somewhat between males and females.

The Iago sparrow was once thought to be most closely related to the rufous sparrows, a group of species within the genus Passer which live in similar habitats on continental Africa. Though the Iago sparrow is closest to the rufous sparrows in appearance, it has a number of crucial differences in morphology and behavior, and is separated by thousands of kilometres. It may in fact be more closely related to the house sparrow and Spanish sparrow. In Cape Verde it occurs on all but one island, and on most of them it is quite common. The Iago sparrow occurs in most of the habitats that are available in its range, such as lava plains, rocky hills, and gorges; however, the house sparrow and Spanish sparrow are typically present instead in denser settlements and richer cultivated areas respectively

16-3-2026 MINDELO, CAP VERDE - CAP VERDE SPARROW (MALE) (Passer iagoensis)

The Iago sparrow (Passer iagoensis), also known as the Cape Verde or rufous-backed sparrow, is a passerine bird of the sparrow family Passeridae. It is endemic to the Cape Verde archipelago, in the eastern Atlantic Ocean near western Africa. Females and young birds have brown plumage with black marks above, and a dull grey underside, and are distinguished from other species of sparrow by their large, distinct supercilium. Males have a brighter underside and bold black and chestnut stripes on their head. At 12.5–13 centimetres (4.9–5.1 in) long, it is a smaller sparrow. This bird's vocalisations are mostly variations on its chirp, which differ somewhat between males and females.

The Iago sparrow was once thought to be most closely related to the rufous sparrows, a group of species within the genus Passer which live in similar habitats on continental Africa. Though the Iago sparrow is closest to the rufous sparrows in appearance, it has a number of crucial differences in morphology and behavior, and is separated by thousands of kilometres. It may in fact be more closely related to the house sparrow and Spanish sparrow. In Cape Verde it occurs on all but one island, and on most of them it is quite common. The Iago sparrow occurs in most of the habitats that are available in its range, such as lava plains, rocky hills, and gorges; however, the house sparrow and Spanish sparrow are typically present instead in denser settlements and richer cultivated areas respectively. Because the Iago sparrow is not under any serious threats, it is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

14-3-2026 CAPE POINT BANJUL, THE GAMBIA - LAUGHING DOVE (Spilopelia senegalensis)

The laughing dove (Spilopelia senegalensis) is a small pigeon that is a resident breeder in Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, and Western Australia where it has established itself in the wild after being released from Perth Zoo in 1898. This small long-tailed dove is found in dry scrub and semi-desert habitats where pairs can often be seen feeding on the ground. It is closely related to the spotted dove (Spilopelia chinensis) which is distinguished by a white and black chequered necklace. Other names include laughing turtle dove, palm dove and Senegal dove while in Asia the name little brown dove is often used.

It is a common and widespread species in scrub, dry farmland, and in areas of human habitation, often becoming very tame. Its range includes much of Sub-Saharan Africa, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India. It is also found in Cyprus, Greece, Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, the UAE, and Turkey (these populations may be derived from human introductions). They are mostly sedentary but some populations may make movements. Birds ringed in Gujarat have been recovered 200 km north in Pakistan and exhausted birds have been recorded landing on ships in the Arabian Sea. The species (thought to belong to the nominate population) was introduced to Perth in 1889 and has become established around Western Australia. Birds that land on ships may be introduced to new regions.

14-3-2026 CAPE POINT BANJUL, THE GAMBIA - BLACK HERON (Egretta ardesiaca)

 The black heron (Egretta ardesiaca), also known as the black egret, is an African heron. It uses its wings to form a canopy when fishing.

The black heron is a medium-sized bird, with a typical height range of 42.5 to 66 cm (16.7 to 26.0 in). Their weight can range from 0.27 to 0.39 kg (0.60 to 0.86 lb). They are known for their black plumage, black bill, and yellow feet. In breeding plumage it grows long plumes on the crown and nape.

The black heron occurs patchily through Sub-Saharan Africa, from Senegal and Sudan to South Africa, but is found mainly on the eastern half of the continent and in Madagascar. It has also been observed in Greece and Italy and Seapoint in Dublin, Ireland by LoLo Tully.

It prefers shallow open waters, such as the edges of freshwater lakes and ponds. It may also be found in marshes, river edges, rice fields, and seasonally flooded grasslands. In coastal areas, it may be found feeding along tidal rivers and creeks, in alkaline lakes, and tidal flats.

The black heron uses a hunting method called canopy feeding — it uses its wings like an umbrella, creating shade that attracts fish. This technique was documented on episode 5 of the BBC's The Life of Birds, and in the "Nighttime Daytime" sketch from BBC's Walk on the Wild Side. Some have been observed feeding solitarily, while others feed in groups of up to 50 individuals, 200 being the highest number reported. The black heron feeds by day but especially prefers the time around sunset. It roosts communally at night, and coastal flocks roost at high tide. The primary food of the black heron is small fish, but it will also eat aquatic insects, crustaceans and amphibians.

The nest of the black heron is constructed of twigs placed over water in trees, bushes, and reed beds, forming a solid structure. The heron nests at the beginning of the rainy season, in single or mixed-species colonies that may number in the hundreds. The eggs are dark blue[contradictory] and the clutch is two to four eggs.

14-3-2026 CAPE POINT BANJUL, THE GAMBIA - GREY HERON (Ardea cinerea)

The Grey Heron is a distinctive species with grey, black, and white plumage. It is often seen along rivers or lake margins, or standing in flooded fields.

In flight their large size, impressive wingspan, long legs, and folded neck give them an unmistakable silhouette. Largely silent away from colonies, flight is sometimes accompanied by a harsh 'kraank' call.

Grey Herons gather to nest in treetop sites called heronries, some of which have been occupied for many decades. These have been monitored in the UK since 1928 through the Heronries Census. Overall the UK's breeding population has increased, with numbers peaking in the early 2000, but with some more recent declines.

Grey Herons are large, solitary, or colonial wading birds known for their patient hunting, standing perfectly still in shallow water before striking fish and amphibians with their dagger-like bills. They are active at dawn and dusk, frequently breeding in large, loud colonies called heronries, often in tall trees. 

Hunting and Feeding Behaviour

Wait-and-Strike: They are primarily ambush predators, standing motionless—often on one leg—to wait for prey, or stalking slowly through water, this is from Animal Diversity Web. 

Diet: While they eat fish, frogs, small mammals, insects, and eels, they are opportunistic and will visit garden ponds for easy prey. 

Handling Prey: Larger prey is stabbed or shaken to death. They often manipulate prey to swallow it head-first, this is from the BDI. 

Active Hunting Times: Main hunting occurs at dawn and dusk, though they can be active throughout the day.

14-3-2026 CAPE POINT BANJUL, THE GAMBIA - AFRICAN SWAMPHEN (Porphyrio madagascariensis)

The African swamphen (Porphyrio madagascariensis) is a species of swamphen occurring in Egypt, Sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar. It used to be considered a subspecies of the western swamphen, which it resembles, but with bronze green or green-blue back and scapulars. It also resembles the grey-headed swamphen of Asia, sharing the greenish back with it, but lacking the paler grey head of that species.

The African Swamphen is a mainly sedentary species that can be found in sub-Saharan Africa, including southern Africa, where it is sometimes locally common, and also along the Nile north to the Nile Delta in Egypt. It is found in northern and eastern Botswana, part of Namibia, Zimbabwe, South Africa and the coast of Mozambique. In South Africa it is absent from the Northern Cape and the interior of the Eastern Cape.

It has occurred as a vagrant in Israel with a record from Eilat in October 2015.

The African swamphen has a preference for freshwater or brackish ponds, slow flowing rivers, especially those flanked by reeds (Phragmites) and sedges, marshes, swamps, it also occurs on seasonally flooded wetlands.

The population is believed to be decreasing due to local disturbance and loss of habitat although it is not considered to be threatened.

14-3-2026 CAPE POINT BANJUL, THE GAMBIA - AFRICAN SWAMPHEN (JUVENILE) (Porphyrio madagascariensis)

The African swamphen (Porphyrio madagascariensis) is a species of swamphen occurring in Egypt, Sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar. It used to be considered a subspecies of the western swamphen, which it resembles, but with bronze green or green-blue back and scapulars. It also resembles the grey-headed swamphen of Asia, sharing the greenish back with it, but lacking the paler grey head of that species.

The African Swamphen is a mainly sedentary species that can be found in sub-Saharan Africa, including southern Africa, where it is sometimes locally common, and also along the Nile north to the Nile Delta in Egypt. It is found in northern and eastern Botswana, part of Namibia, Zimbabwe, South Africa and the coast of Mozambique. In South Africa it is absent from the Northern Cape and the interior of the Eastern Cape.

It has occurred as a vagrant in Israel with a record from Eilat in October 2015.

The African swamphen has a preference for freshwater or brackish ponds, slow flowing rivers, especially those flanked by reeds (Phragmites) and sedges, marshes, swamps, it also occurs on seasonally flooded wetlands.

The population is believed to be decreasing due to local disturbance and loss of habitat although it is not considered to be threatened.

16-3-2026 MINDELO, CAP VERDE - CARRUTHERS FALSEFACE (Pseuderanthemum carruthersii)

Pseuderanthemum carruthersii, the Carruthers' falseface, is a species of plant in the family Acanthaceae. It is native from the Solomon Islands to Vanuatu.

Pseuderanthemum carruthersii is popularly grown as an ornamental outside of its native range. It has been introduced in many tropical countries. Prior to contact with Europeans, Melanesian islanders brought P. carruthersii to different Pacific Islands. Later it also began to be grown in European nurseries.

Pseuderanthemum carruthersii is similar in appearance to Graptophyllum pictum.

The Carruthers' falseface is highly used in researches for extracting many chemical compounds. The following chemicals can be found in the plant.

16-3-2026 MINDELO, CAP VERDE - PEA BLUE BUTTERFLY (Lampides boeticus),

Lampides boeticus, the pea blue, or long-tailed blue, is a small butterfly that belongs to the lycaenids or gossamer-winged family.

The Latin species name boeticus refers to Baetica, a province of the Roman Empire in the Iberian Peninsula . Its common name refers to the long streamers on its hind wings, the male's bright iridescent blue colour, and peas, which is the typical host plant of the butterfly.

This species was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1767 and was initially named Papilio boeticus.

This species can be found in Europe, Africa, South and Southeast Asia, and Australia. It is also found in the Hawaiian islands. It is also found in the Maldives.In New Zealand this species is regarded as being self introduced as was first observed in November 1965.

This species inhabits the edge of forests, mountain meadows and hot flowery places at an elevation up to 2,700 metres (8,900 ft) above sea level.

14-3-2026 CAPE POINT BANJUL, THE GAMBIA - AFRICAN JACANA (Actophilornis africanus)

The African jacana (Actophilornis africanus) is a wader in the family Jacanidae. It has long toes and long claws that enables it to walk on floating vegetation in shallow lakes, its preferred habitat. It is widely distributed in sub-Saharan Africa. For the origin and pronunciation of the name, see Jacanidae.

The African jacana (Actophilornis africanus) is a wader in the family Jacanidae. It has long toes and long claws that enables it to walk on floating vegetation in shallow lakes, its preferred habitat. It is widely distributed in sub-Saharan Africa. For the origin and pronunciation of the name, see Jacanidae.

The jacana has evolved a highly unusually polyandrous mating system, meaning that one female mates with multiple males and the male alone cares for the chicks. Such a system has evolved due to a combination of two factors: firstly, the lakes that the jacana lives on are so resource-rich that the relative energy expended by the female in producing each egg is effectively negligible. Secondly the jacana, as a bird, lays eggs, and eggs can be equally well incubated and cared for by a parent bird of either sex. This means that the rate-limiting factor of the jacana's breeding is the rate at which the males can raise and care for the chicks. Such a system of females forming harems of males is in direct contrast to the more usual system of leks seen in animals such as stags and grouse, where the males compete and display in order to gain harems of females.

The parent that forms part of the harem is almost always the one that ends up caring for the offspring; in this case, each male jacana incubates and rears a nest of chicks. The male African jacana has therefore evolved some remarkable adaptations for parental care, such as the ability to pick up and carry chicks underneath its wings.

14-3-2026 CAPE POINT BANJUL, THE GAMBIA - HAMERKOP (Scopus umbretta)

The hamerkop (Scopus umbretta), also called the umbrette, is a medium-sized bird. It is the only living species in the genus Scopus and the family Scopidae. The species and family was long thought to sit with the Ciconiiformes but is now placed with the Pelecaniformes, and its closest relatives are thought to be the pelicans and the shoebill. The shape of its head with a long bill and crest at the back is reminiscent of a hammer, which has given this species its name after the Afrikaans word for hammerhead. It is a medium-sized waterbird with brown plumage. It is found in mainland Africa, Madagascar and Arabia, living in a wide variety of wetlands, including estuaries, lakesides, fish ponds, riverbanks, and rocky coasts. The hamerkop is a sedentary bird that often shows local movements.

The hamerkop takes a wide range of prey, mostly fish and amphibians, but shrimps, insects and rodents are taken too. Prey is usually hunted in shallow water, either by sight or touch, but the species is adaptable and will take any prey it can. The species is renowned for its enormous nests, several of which are built during the breeding season. Unusually for a wading bird, the nest has an internal nesting chamber where the eggs are laid. Both parents incubate the eggs and raise the chicks.

The species is not globally threatened and is locally abundant in mainland Africa and Madagascar. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has assessed it as being of least concern.

14-3-2026 CAPE POINT BANJUL, THE GAMBIA - UPLAND COTTON

 Gossypium hirsutum, also known as upland cotton or Mexican cotton, is the most widely planted species of cotton in the world. Globally, about 90% of all cotton production is of cultivars derived from this species. In the United States, the world's largest exporter of cotton, it constitutes approximately 95% of all cotton production. It is native from Mexico to Ecuador and northeast Brazil, the Leeward Antilles in the Caribbean and the Pacific (Fiji, Marianas, Polynesia and Revillagigedo Islands).

It is believed that gossypium hirsutum was created when wild Mexican cotton breeds mixed with gossypium herbaceum around 5-10 million years ago, producing a hybrid species with 26 pairs of chromosomes via polyploidy.

Archeological evidence from the Tehuacan Valley in Mexico shows the cultivation of this species as long ago as 3,500 BC, although there is as yet no evidence as to exactly where it may have been first domesticated. 

14-3-2026 CAPE POINT BANJUL, THE GAMBIA - MALACHITE KINGFISHER (Corythornis cristatus)

 The malachite kingfisher (Corythornis cristatus) is a river kingfisher which is widely distributed in Africa south of the Sahara. It is largely resident except for seasonal climate-related movements.

It is a small kingfisher, around 13 cm (5.1 in) in length. In Southern Africa, the reference size is 14cm and in East Africa] and Ethiopia, 12cm. The general color of the upper parts of the adult bird is bright metallic blue. The head has a short crest of black and blue feathers, which gives rise to the scientific name. The face, cheeks, and underparts are rufous and there are white patches on the throat and rear neck sides. The bill is black in young birds and reddish-orange in adults; the legs are bright red. Sexes are similar, but juveniles are a duller version of the adult.

14-3-2026 CAPE POINT BANJUL, THE GAMBIA - PINK BACKED PELICAN (Pelecanus rufescens)

The pink-backed pelican (Pelecanus rufescens) is a bird of the pelican family. It is a resident breeder in the swamps and shallow lakes of Africa and southern Arabia; it has also been extirpated from Madagascar.

It is a relatively small pelican, although by no means is it a small bird. Its length is from 125 to 155 cm (49 to 61 in), wingspan is 2.15–2.9 m (7.1–9.5 ft) and body mass is from 4 to 7 kg (8.8 to 15.4 lb). The bill is 30 to 38 cm (12 to 15 in) in length.[7][8] The plumage is grey and white, with a pinkish hue on the back occasionally apparent (never in the deep pink of a flamingo). The top of the bill is yellow and the pouch is usually greyish. Breeding adults have long feather plumes on the head.

It shares its habitat with the great white pelican, which is generally larger and has white instead of greyish plumage.