Saturday, 31 March 2018
31-3-2018 WILDERNESS NAT PARK, SOUTH AFRICA - CAPE WHITE EYE (Zosterops capensis)
The Cape white-eye (Zosterops virens) is a small passerine bird in the white-eye family. It is native to southern Africa. It is commonly found in suburbia, parks and gardens, besides a variety of mesic to well-watered habitats.
This species is about 12 cm long with rounded wings, strong legs, and a conspicuous ring of white feathers round the eyes. The upperparts are green, and the throat and vent are bright yellow. The members of the Z. v. capensis has a grey breast and belly, whereas Z. v. virens has a greenish-yellow breast and belly.
They are very vocal, and constantly keep in touch with soft trilled pee, pree or pirreee callnotes. The song consists of repeated long jerky phrases of sweet reedy notes, varying in pitch, volume and temp, usually starting off with teee teee or pirrup pirrup notes, then becoming a fast rambled jumble of notes, which may incorporate mimicked phrases of other birdcalls.
This is a sociable species forming large flocks outside the breeding season. It builds a cup nest in a tree and lays 2-3 unspotted pale blue eggs. The eggs hatch in 11–12 days, and fledging occurs in another 12–13 days. The peak breeding season is September to December.
The Cape white-eye feeds mainly on insects, but also soft fleshy flowers, nectar, fruit and small grains. It readily comes to bird feeders.
It is found in a wide range of densely to lightly wooded habitats in South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini and marginally in Mozambique. Most populations are resident, but some perform minor seasonal movements.
23-3-2018 CAPE POINT, CAPE TOWN - CHACMA BABOON (Papio ursinus)
Chacma baboons are found throughout southern Africa, ranging from South Africa north to Angola, Zambia, and Mozambique. They live in diverse habitats from woodlands to savannas, steppes, and sub-deserts. Chacma baboons are found in the Kalahari Desert as well as on the alpine slopes of the Drakensberg. They usually sleep on hills, cliffs, or large trees and during the day, avoid arid areas with a lack of water.
The Chacma baboon (Papio ursinus) is a member of the Old World monkey family. It is one of the largest of all monkeys. Located primarily in southern Africa, the chacma baboon has a wide variety of social behaviors, including a dominance hierarchy, collective foraging, adoption of young by females, and friendship pairings. In general, the species is not threatened, but hunting, trapping, and accidents kill or remove many baboons from the wild, thereby reducing their numbers and disrupting their social structure.
The Chacma baboon is perhaps the longest species of monkey and it is also one of the heaviest. Adult males can in some instances be about twice as long and three times as heavy as adult females. Perhaps the most distinctive feature of this baboon is its long, downward-sloping face. The Chacma baboon is generally dark brown to gray in color, with a patch of rough hair on the nape of its neck. Unlike the males of northern baboon species (Guinea, hamadryas, and Olive baboons), Chacma males do not have a mane. The three subspecies are differentiated by size and color. The Cape chacma is a large, heavy, dark-brown, and has black feet. The Gray-footed chacma is slightly smaller than the Cape chacma, lighter in color and build, and has gray feet. The Ruacana chacma generally appears to be a smaller, less darkly colored version of the Cape chacma.
Chacma baboons are diurnal, spending most of the day on the ground. They are highly sociable animals, living in troops, which consist of 20-80 individuals. The troops include males as well as females with their young. Members of a troop are in close ties with each other, sleeping, feeding, and grooming together. During the day the groups split into smaller subgroups, consisting of 4-5 females with their young and a dominant male, who leads the group and defends it from other males. They are always on the alert, living in troops for protection and watching for predators. When threatened, the baboons give out loud barks. Then the males run to attack while the females and young hide in a safe place among the trees. Chacma baboons communicate by vocalizations, using about 30 different sounds such as grunting, barking, or screaming. They also use gestures such as shoulder shrugs, yawns, or lip-smacking.
Friday, 30 March 2018
30-3-2018 KYNSNA, SOUTH AFRICA - GREY HERON (Ardea cinerea)
Grey Herons are unmistakeable – tall, with long legs, a long beak and grey, black and white feathering. They can stand with their neck stretched out, looking for food, or hunched down with their neck bent over their chest.
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.
The Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) is a statuesque wading bird belonging to the family Ardeidae. It is a familiar sight in both rural and urban settings, often seen standing stoically along the water's edge. An adult Grey Heron is a large bird, reaching up to 100 cm in height, with a wingspan between 155 to 195 cm. It weighs between 1 to 2 kg. The plumage is predominantly ashy-grey above, with a greyish-white underbelly and some black on the flanks. A striking feature is the white head and neck adorned with a broad black stripe that extends from the eye to the black crest. The beak is pinkish-yellow, long, and sharply pointed, while the legs are a brown hue.
29-3-2018 OUDTSCHOORN, SOUTH AFRICA - SOUTHERN DOUBLE COLLARED SUNBIRD (Cinnyris afer)
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The greater double-collared sunbird, Cinnyris afer, is a small and vibrant member of the sunbird family. This species exhibits a striking sexual dimorphism. The male is adorned with a glossy, metallic green head, throat, upper breast, and back. A brilliant red band, edged with a narrow metallic blue stripe, graces his chest. The rest of his underparts are a pale grey. When in display, one may observe yellow tufts on his shoulders. The female, in contrast, is clad in more subdued tones of pale grey, with darker wings. Both sexes possess a long, decurved bill, black in color, matching their legs and feet, and dark brown eyes.
To identify the greater double-collared sunbird, look for the male's broad red chest band and the distinctive blue band above it. The female is less colorful but can be recognized by her grey plumage and darker wings. The species can be distinguished from the similar lesser double-collared sunbird by the male's larger size, wider red chest band, and longer bill.
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The greater double-collared sunbird is commonly found in gardens, fynbos, forest edges, and coastal scrub across southern South Africa.
This sunbird is mainly resident but partly migratory in the northeastern parts of its range within southern South Africa.
The greater double-collared sunbird is typically observed alone or in pairs. It exhibits a fast and direct flight on its short wings.
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The call of this sunbird is a hard "chut-chut-chut," while its song is a high-pitched jumble of tweets and twitters, richer than that of its lesser double-collared counterpart. Additionally, it produces a shrill whistle and click, sounding like "wrew wrew wrew ch ch."
Breeding occurs throughout the year, peaking from July to November. The sunbird constructs a closed oval nest from grass, lichen, and other plant materials, all bound together with spider webs. The nest features a side entrance, occasionally adorned with a porch, and is lined with soft feathers.
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The diet of the greater double-collared sunbird primarily consists of nectar from flowers. It also consumes fruit and, particularly when feeding young, insects and spiders. It has a unique habit of hovering in front of webs to pluck spiders and can hover like a hummingbird to feed on nectar, though it typically perches to do so.
The IUCN has classified the greater double-collared sunbird as Least Concern, indicating a stable population without significant threats to its survival.
30-3-2018 OUDTSCHOORN, SOUTH AFRICA - AFRICAN HOOPOE (Upupa epops ssp. africana)
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The African hoopoe (Upupa africana) is a species of hoopoe in the family Upupidae. Previously considered as a subspecies (Upupa epops africana) of the Eurasian hoopoe, it is a resident species of southern Africa.
The African hoopoe has the average size of 25 to 29 cm (9.8 to 11.4 in), with a wingspan between 44 and 48 cm (17 and 19 in).[4] The weight is between 38 and 67 g when fully grown. This is about the size of the average American robin. African hoopoes have a crest which is chestnut coloured with black on the tips. It is raised when the bird has been startled or disturbed, especially when eating. No eyerings or eye-stripes are present, but the bill is long, dark and narrow and slightly down curved. The male is typically fully chestnut colored, whereas the female has a grayer body. Both males and females have black and white stripes on their wings and tail which are rounded. This black and white striped pattern leads to a V-formation on their backs. Juveniles are similar in appearance to females except that they have a shorter beak. In adults, the beak is about the same size as the head.
When these birds are in flight, they flap between 4 and 5 beats, then pause in which their body drops, and then continue to beat their wings 4 to 5 times. When in the air, you'll notice the same black and white striping on the wings and tail on their underside as when they are perched.
The African hoopoe differs from the Eurasian hoopoe in having plumage which is deep rufous rather than pale sandy buff.
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The African hoopoes most common call is very distinctive "oop-oop" or "oop-oop-oop". This will be repeated after a pause. This call is only made by males and is usually used during the mating season. Besides the "oop" call, the male will also produce a “swizzling” sound: “swizzle-swizzle-swizzle”. When not in mating season, these birds are more silent but still have some sounds such as the “rattle” and “huk”. These sounds are used more often when the bird has been disturbed and is used by both the males and females. Lastly, a sound: "choorie, choorie, choorie" is used by males when he gives food to the female during the mating season.
The African hoopoe is widely distributed throughout southern Africa from Central Democratic Republic of Congo across to central Kenya and all the way south to the Cape of Good Hope. A list of countries where the African hoopoe is commonly seen is as follows: South Africa, Lesotho, Eswatini, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Angola, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania, Kenya and the southern half of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Unlike the Eurasian hoopoe that often migrates, the African hoopoe is usually resident but may make short-distance movements.
The species prefers open and bushy areas, including thornveld, a landscape with mostly thorny bush and trees, and riverine woodlands in dry areas. It inhabits broadleaf forests and savannah.
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Only a limited amount of research has been carried out on the African hoopoe, but it appears to be similar in behaviour to the Eurasian hoopoe, although it occupies a different ecological niche. The biggest threat predatorily are raptor species which include hawks and eagles.
African hoopoes eat mainly insects. These include Coleoptera, which are beetles, Dermaptera (earwigs) and Orthoptera, grasshoppers, locusts and crickets. Besides these, small reptiles have been found to be fed to chicks as well as worms, slugs, and small snakes. Small seeds and berries may even be eaten. To find the insects, the African Hoopoe uses its long beak to penetrate the soil and then may whack the insect or prey onto the ground to break it up into smaller pieces. They prefer to do this in shorter grass. Unlike the rest of the year, African hoopoes maintain a specific territory throughout the breeding season in which they feed.
The African hoopoa bird is monogamous. The mating season begins in mid April where the male seeks out a female and offers her small pieces of food. Breeding occurs later in August. The African hoopoe does not make its own nest but rather finds a nest hole that is just slightly larger than its body. The nest hole is probably chosen by the male. The nests are located from ground level up to a maximum of about eight meters above the ground. The clutch varies between four and seven eggs which are laid at one or two day intervals. The eggs are smooth and blue-green when freshly laid but with age they become rougher and the colour fades. Only the female incubates the eggs which hatch after 14 and 16 days. The chicks are fed mostly by the male until close to their fledging date when the female and male share the responsibilities. The chicks fledge after between 26 and 32 days. These birds are double brooded and have two sets of chicks per year. The breeding season ends in December. The greater honeyguide may use the nests of African hoopoes to lay their own eggs making them brood parasites.
25-3-2018 TABLE MOUNTAIN AVIARY, CAPE TOWN - SOUTHERN GROUND HORNBILL (Bucorvus leadbeateri)
The Southern Ground Hornbill (Bucorvus leadbeateri), formerly known as Bucorvus cafer, is a remarkable bird, the largest in the hornbill order and found exclusively within Africa. This majestic creature, with a length ranging from 90 to 129 cm and a wingspan of 1.2 to 1.8 meters, is a sight to behold. The males, larger than the females, can weigh between 3.5 to 6.2 kilograms, while females range from 2.2 to 4.6 kilograms. They are predominantly black with striking red patches of bare skin on the face and throat, which serve to keep dust from their eyes while foraging. In flight, the white tips of their wings are distinctly visible. The beak is robust, black, and slightly curved, with a casque more pronounced in males. Females are identified by their violet-blue throat skin, while juveniles have a paler, greyish patch instead of the vibrant red.
To identify the Southern Ground Hornbill, look for its large size, black plumage, and the vivid red or violet-blue skin on the throat. The male's throat is a pure red, while the female's is deep violet-blue. Juveniles can be recognized by their duller grey throat patch. In flight, the white primary feathers are a key distinguishing feature.
The Southern Ground Hornbill is found in woodlands and savannas, requiring a habitat with large trees for nesting and short grass for foraging.
This species ranges from Kenya to South Africa, with its presence also noted in northern Namibia and Angola to southern Zimbabwe and Burundi.
Living in groups of 5 to 10, these birds are apex predators and play a crucial ecological role. They forage on the ground, hunting a variety of prey from insects to small mammals. They are known for their loud, chorus-like calls that can be heard over great distances, serving as a means of maintaining their territory.
The Southern Ground Hornbill's calls are a distinctive aspect of their behavior, used for communication and territorial purposes. These calls can be heard up to 3 kilometers away.
Breeding pairs are assisted by at least two other birds, and experience as helpers is essential for successful rearing of young. They reach sexual maturity around 4-6 years of age and start breeding at about 10 years. Nesting typically occurs in high tree cavities or cliff face rock holes. They lay one to three eggs, but only one chick is usually reared to fledging.
The Abyssinian Ground Hornbill (B. abyssinicus) is similar but can be distinguished by its size and range.
Southern Ground Hornbills are carnivorous, feeding on reptiles, frogs, snails, insects, and mammals up to the size of hares. They forage on the ground and rarely drink water.
The IUCN lists the Southern Ground Hornbill as Vulnerable globally, with an Endangered status in South Africa, Lesotho, Namibia, and Eswatini. Their numbers are declining due to habitat destruction, persecution, and other factors. Conservation efforts include habitat preservation and captive breeding programs.
Wednesday, 28 March 2018
20-3-2018 EL RETIRO PARQUE, MADRID - LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER (Dryobates minor)
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The lesser spotted woodpecker (Dryobates minor) is a member of the woodpecker family Picidae. It was formerly assigned to the genus Dendrocopos (sometimes incorrectly spelt as Dendrocopus). Some taxonomic authorities continue to list the species there.
The range of the lesser spotted woodpecker is the Palearctic region, but several subspecies are recognised.
Its habits are very similar to those of the great spotted woodpecker, and it has the same stumpy appearance, almost triangular, when bounding from tree to tree. Its note is a repeated "keek", loud for so small a bird, and its vibrating rattle can with experience be distinguished from that of the larger species. This substitute for a song may be heard at all times, but most frequently when courtship begins early in the year.
Its insect food is similar to that of the great spotted woodpecker. When hunting for wood-boring larvae it chips away at the rotten wood, and the litter at the foot of a tree is often the first indication that insects are attacking upper branches. From autumn to spring it hunts mainly on wood-living insect larvae, frequently from thin dead branches in living trees. Through the breeding season, surface-living insects from the foliage and bark of trees make up an increased amount of the diet. Nestlings are mainly fed with surface-living insects, such as aphids and larval insects. At night it roosts in old holes.
Tuesday, 27 March 2018
27-3-2018 FERNKLOOF LAKE, SOUTH AFRICA - THREE BANDED PLOVER (Charadrias tricollaris)
The Three-banded Plover, or Charadrius tricollaris, is a small wader, measuring 18 cm in length, with a distinctive elongated profile characterized by its long wings and very long tail. This bird is easily recognized in flight by its white front and the white side of the tail and rump. The adult's upperparts are a medium brown, while the underparts are predominantly white, featuring two black breast bands separated by a white band, which are the hallmark of this species. The head boasts a striking pattern with a black crown and white supercilia extending from the white forehead to meet at the back of the neck. The face is grey, transitioning to brown on the neck, and the orbital ring is a vivid orange-red. The bill is mostly black with a rosy red base.
When identifying the Three-banded Plover, look for the unique combination of the two black breast bands and the white band in between. The long wings and tail are also key features, setting it apart from most other small plovers. The thin white bar above the wings and the dark smudge over the primary coverts below are visible in flight. The Malagasy subspecies can be distinguished by a grey band between the bill and the white forehead, and grey sides of the head.
This species is typically found along inland rivers, pools, lakes, and pans, where it frequents exposed shores.
The Three-banded Plover is resident and generally sedentary across much of East Africa, southern Africa, and Madagascar.
Often seen as solitary individuals, the Three-banded Plover may also gather in small flocks. It hunts primarily by sight, searching for insects, worms, and other invertebrates.
The call of the Three-banded Plover is a sharp, whistled "weeet-weet."
Breeding involves a simple nest, which is a bare scrape on shingle. Egg laying varies by region, occurring from March to June in the tropics, but predominantly from July to October in southern Africa.
The Forbes's Plover is a larger and darker-plumaged species that replaces the Three-banded Plover in West Africa and the moist tropics. The Forbes's Plover can be differentiated by its brown forehead and the absence of a white wingbar.
The diet consists of insects, worms, and other small invertebrates, which the Three-banded Plover hunts by sight.
The IUCN Red List classifies the Three-banded Plover as Least Concern, indicating that it is not currently at significant risk of widespread decline.
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