Friday, 31 May 2019
Thursday, 30 May 2019
Monday, 27 May 2019
28-5-2022 SOMALISA, ZIMBABWE - SOUTHERN BLACK TIT (Melaniparus niger)
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The southern black tit or simply black tit (Melaniparus niger) is a species of bird in the tit family Paridae, which is native to woodland habitats in southern Africa.
It occurs chiefly in tropical and subtropical savanna woodland, in a semicircular arc from Angola to the Eastern Cape, South Africa. It prefers woodland dominated by broad-leaved trees, most importantly miombo, Combretum species, and Burkea africana. It is especially common in the woodlands of western Zimbabwe, where densities can reach as high as fifty birds per square kilometre.
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Sunday, 26 May 2019
Saturday, 25 May 2019
25-5-2019 MANA POOLS , ZIMBABWE - EASTERN NICATOR (Nicator gularis)
The Eastern Nicator, scientifically known as Nicator gularis, is a captivating species of songbird belonging to the family Nicatoridae. This avian wonder was once referred to as the "yellow-spotted nicator," though this moniker has since been reassigned to its relative, the Western Nicator.
While observing these birds, one may note their absence of distinctive yellow spots, a feature now attributed to their Western counterparts.
The Eastern Nicator thrives in a variety of environments, including subtropical or tropical dry forests, dry savannas, and moist shrublands. These habitats offer the perfect blend of cover and foraging opportunities for this species.
This bird graces the landscapes of several African countries, including Eswatini, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Birdwatchers in South Africa may find it as far south as Mtunzini in northern KwaZulu-Natal, while those in East Africa can spot it in lowland areas and along the Zambezi River's inland stretches.
Diet and Feeding
The Eastern Nicator is an insectivore, skillfully hunting insects to sustain itself.
Wednesday, 22 May 2019
Tuesday, 21 May 2019
22-5-2019 HWANGE, ZIMBABWEE - THREE BANDED COURSER (Rhinoptilus cinctus)
The Three-banded Courser, Rhinoptilus cinctus, is a distinctive bird belonging to the family Glareolidae. It presents a unique appearance with its three prominent bands across its head and neck.
To identify the Three-banded Courser, look for its characteristic head pattern with three dark bands. The bird's overall plumage is a blend of earthy tones, providing excellent camouflage in its natural habitat.
This species thrives in semi-arid environments, where it can blend seamlessly with the sandy and stony terrain.
The Three-banded Courser is found across a broad range of the African continent, including countries such as Angola, Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Namibia, Rwanda, Somalia, Somaliland, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Observing the behaviour of the Three-banded Courser reveals its adeptness at remaining inconspicuous within its habitat, a survival trait that serves it well against potential predators.
Thursday, 16 May 2019
Wednesday, 15 May 2019
15-5-2019 BOTANICAL GARDENS, BARCELONA - MARSH FRITILLARY (Euphydryas aurinia)
The marsh fritillary (Euphydryas aurinia) is a butterfly of the family Nymphalidae. Commonly distributed in the Palearctic region, the marsh fritillary's common name derives from one of its several habitats, marshland. The prolonged larval stage lasts for approximately seven to eight months and includes a period of hibernation over the winter. The larvae are dependent on the host food plant Succisa pratensis not only for feeding but also for hibernation, because silken webs are formed on the host plant as the gregarious larvae enter hibernation. Females lay eggs in batches on the host plant and are, like other batch-layers, selective about the location of oviposition because offspring survivorship levels for batch-layers are more tied to location selection than they are for single-egg layers.
As of 2019 the butterfly's global conservation status is considered of least concern, but it has faced rapid decline and is considered regionally vulnerable or endangered over much of its range.
Tuesday, 14 May 2019
4-4-2018 PHINDA FOREST LODGE, SOUTH AFRICA - WHITE BROWED SCRUB ROBIN (Cercotrichas leucophrys)
The White-browed Scrub Robin, or Red-backed Scrub-Robin, is a small, unassuming bird with a distinctive pale superciliary stripe that graces its face like an elegant brow. Both sexes share a similar appearance, with a plumage that varies subtly across their range. The bird's overall length ranges from 14.0 to 16.5 cm, from the tip of its bill to the end of its tail.
Upon encountering this species, one should note the clear white tips on the greater and lesser wing coverts, which are a hallmark of the bird. The tail, a blend of greyish brown to rufous tones, features a black subterminal band and white tips that are particularly noticeable when the bird fans its tail. The breast may exhibit streaking, and the flanks are tinged with tawny buff, though this can vary among individuals and subspecies.
The White-browed Scrub Robin is a versatile inhabitant of woodlands and savannas, from arid to mesic environments. It thrives in areas with sufficient cover, such as open scrub or thickets, and is often found in grassy locales that are conducive to nesting.
This bird's range extends across a swath of sub-Saharan Africa, from Angola to Zimbabwe, and from Ethiopia to South Africa. It occupies a variety of latitudes, from tropical to temperate zones.
The White-browed Scrub Robin is a sedentary bird, generally remaining within its territory throughout the year. It is known for its skittish yet curious nature, often singing from the seclusion of dense shrubbery. On the ground, it moves with a distinctive hop as it forages, and it frequently flicks and fans its tail—a behavior shared with its close relatives.
Monday, 13 May 2019
Sunday, 12 May 2019
18-4-2018 CHOBE NATIONAL PARK, BOTSWANA - LAPPET FACED VULTURE (Torgos tracheliotos)
The lappet-faced vulture or Nubian vulture (Torgos tracheliotos) is an Old World vulture belonging to the bird order Accipitriformes, which also includes eagles, kites, buzzards and hawks. It is the only member of the genus Torgos. It is not closely related to the superficially similar New World vultures, and does not share the good sense of smell of some members of that group.
The lappet-faced vulture was formerly considered monotypical, but now is separated into two subspecies. The nominate race lives throughout Africa. The subspecies T. t. negevensis, differing considerably in appearance from African vultures (as described below) is endemic to the Arabian peninsula.
This species is patchily distributed through much of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, though it is absent from much of the central and western parts of the continent and declining elsewhere in its range. The lappet-faced vulture breeds in Senegal, Mali, Mauritania, Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad, Sudan, Egypt, Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Eswatini, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia. On the Arabian Peninsula, it breeds in Yemen, Oman, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. It is also present in Gambia, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Benin, the Central African Republic and Angola, as well as a single vagrant record in Kuwait.
