4-6-2019 LINYANTI CAMP, BOTSWANA - GREEN BACKED CAMAROPTERA (Camaroptera brachyura)

The green-backed camaroptera (Camaroptera brachyura), also known as the bleating camaroptera, is a diminutive bird, a member of the Cisticolidae family. It is recognized by its green upperparts, olive wings, and whitish-grey underparts. Both sexes exhibit similar plumage, while juveniles display a paler yellow on the breast. This species measures approximately 11.5 cm in length.

When attempting to identify the green-backed camaroptera, look for its short tail, a feature hinted at by its specific epithet 'brachyura', derived from Ancient Greek meaning "short-tailed". The bird's green back and olive wings contrast with its lighter underparts, aiding in its identification amidst dense vegetation.

This elusive passerine prefers to remain low in dense cover, making it a challenge to spot. It is a bird that thrives in the undergrowth, often concealed by foliage.

The green-backed camaroptera is a resident breeder throughout Africa, south of the Sahara Desert. Its presence spans a range of subspecies across various regions, from Kenya and Tanzania to South Africa.

The green-backed camaroptera is known for its skulking nature. It constructs its nest by ingeniously binding large leaves together within a bush, creating a concealed grass nest for its clutch, typically comprising two or three eggs.

The vocalizations of the green-backed camaroptera are distinctive, and its song has been recorded in the Cape Province of South Africa. Its calls contribute to the rich tapestry of sounds that one may encounter in its natural habitat.

As a resident breeder, the green-backed camaroptera binds leaves to craft a hidden nest low in a bush, where it lays a normal clutch of two or three eggs.

Recent studies have suggested that the green-backed camaroptera may be conspecific with the grey-backed camaroptera, indicating that they could be the same species. Observers should take note of the subtle differences in plumage and locality when differentiating between the two.

Insectivorous by nature, the green-backed camaroptera forages for insects within its dense habitat, contributing to its role in the ecosystem as a pest controller.

The IUCN Red List has classified the green-backed camaroptera as Least Concern, indicating that, for now, this species does not face immediate threats to its survival.

4-6-2019 LINYANTI CAMP, BOTSWANA - GREATER BLUE EARED STARLING (Lamprotornis chalybaeus)

The Greater Blue-eared Starling is a dazzling, iridescent African bird known for its glossy blue-green feathers, distinct blue ear patch, and bright eyes, found in savannas and woodlands, feeding on fruits and insects, and forming large flocks with unique "squee-ar" calls, often nesting in tree cavities. 

Appearance & Identification

Color: Brilliant, metallic blue-green with purple-blue on the belly and a distinctive glossy blue ear-patch.

Eyes: Bright yellow, orange, or red, creating a striking contrast.

Size: About 22 cm (8.6 inches) long, with a short tail.

Juveniles: Duller with more brown, developing adult gloss and eye color as they mature. 

Habitat & Behavior

Range: Common in Sub-Saharan Africa, from Senegal to Ethiopia and South Africa, preferring open woodlands and savannas.

Social: Highly gregarious, forming large flocks of hundreds, especially at fruiting trees.

Diet: Omnivorous, eating fruits, insects, nectar, and grains, often foraging on the ground.

Calls: Known for a variety of musical and grating sounds, with a characteristic nasal "squee-ar" call. 

Nesting & Conservation

Nesting: Uses tree cavities, either natural or excavated by other birds like woodpeckers.

Status: Considered "Least Concern" with a stable population, according to IUCN data. 

4-6-2019 LINYANTI CAMP, BOTSWANA - KALAHARI FORK TAILED DRONGO (Dicrurus adsimilis ssp. apivorus)

The Kalahari fork-tailed drongo is a clever, glossy black bird known for its deceptive and thieving nature, particularly its ability to mimic other birds' alarm calls to steal their food. These birds are also known for their fearless behavior, sometimes joining other animals like meerkats and babblers for foraging or even to protect their territory. They have a narrow, forked tail, red-brownish eyes, and a diet of insects, with other small prey also included. 

Deceptive behaviors

Food theft: The drongo will use fake alarm calls to scare other animals, like meerkats, away from their food, and then steal it for itself.

Mimicry: It can mimic the sounds of various predators or other birds to deceive others. Once the other animals flee, the drongo follows up with an "all clear" call to keep them around for future tricks.

Learning: The drongo's mimicry is a learned behavior, which it adapts based on feedback from other animals. 

4-6-2019 LINYANTI CAMP, BOTSWANA - NAMIBIAN GIRAFFE (Giraffa camelopardalis ssp. angolensis)

The Angolan giraffe (Giraffa giraffa angolensis), formerly (Giraffa camelopardalis angolensis) also known as the Namibian giraffe or smokey giraffe, is a subspecies of the Southern Giraffe that is found in northern Namibia, south-western Zambia, Botswana, western Zimbabwe and since mid-2023 again in Angola, after its reintroduction to Iona National Park.

In August 2025 after reviewing the scientific evidence the IUCN's Giraffe and Okapi Specialist Group recognised four distinct species of giraffe, the Northern Giraffe, Reticulated Giraffe, Masai Giraffe and Southern Giraffe. The Angolan Giraffe is now one of two subspecies of the Southern Giraffe. A previous 2009 genetic study on this subspecies suggests the northern Namib Desert and Etosha National Park populations each form a separate subspecies. However, genetic studies based on mitochondrial DNA do not support the division into two subspecies., but could identify giraffes in southern Zimbabwe as the Angolan giraffe, suggesting a further eastward distribution than expected.

4-6-2019 LINYANTI CAMP, BOTSWANA - COMMON SLENDER MONGOOSE (Herpestes sanguineus)

The common slender mongoose (Herpestes sanguineus), also known as the black-tipped mongoose, the black-tailed mongoose, or just the slender mongoose is a very common mongoose species native to sub-Saharan Africa.

The scientific name Herpestes sanguineus was proposed by Eduard Rüppell in 1835 who described a reddish mongoose observed in the Kordofan region.

As the name suggests, the common slender mongoose has a lithe body of 27.5–40 cm (10.8–15.7 in) and a long tail of 23–33 cm (9.1–13.0 in). Males weigh 640–715 g (22.6–25.2 oz), while the smaller females weigh 460–575 g (16.2–20.3 oz). These measurements are consistent with the average measurements given by Rood and Wozencraft.

Common slender mongooses are more adept at climbing trees than other mongooses, often hunting birds there. White browed-sparrow weavers, crimson breasted shrikes, and glossy starlings are considered common prey.

The common slender mongoose has been targeted by extermination efforts in the past, due to its potential to be a rabies vector and the fact that it sometimes kills domestic poultry. These efforts have not been conspicuously successful, although some subspecies may be threatened. It is in no immediate danger of extinction, and is IUCN Red Listed as least concern.

The color of their fur varies widely between subspecies, from a dark reddish-brown to an orange red, grey, or even golden yellow, but these mongooses can be distinguished from other mongooses due to the prominent black or red tip on their tails. They also have silkier fur than the other African members of their family.

The common slender mongoose occurs throughout sub-Saharan Africa, where it is most common in the savannah and semiarid plains, but rarely recorded in densely forested areas and deserts.

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The common slender mongoose is often described as solitary, but when studied in the Kalahari in South Africa, were found to form spatial groups of one to three males and up to four females, denning together up to one third of nights.

It is primarily diurnal, although it is sometimes active on warm, moonlit nights. It doesn't seem to be territorial, but will nevertheless maintain stable home ranges that are often shared with members of related species. Indeed, the common slender mongoose and these other species may even den together, as most of their relatives are nocturnal. Dens may be found anywhere sheltered from the elements: in crevices between rocks, in hollow logs, and the like.

A male's range includes the ranges of several females, and scent cues inform him when the female is in heat. The gestation period is believed to be 60 to 70 days, and most pregnancies result in one to three young. The male does not help care for them. Unusually, for a solitary species, in the Kalahari Desert the males are philopatric whereas the females disperse.

The common slender mongoose is primarily carnivorous, though it is an opportunistic omnivore. Insects make up the bulk of its diet, but lizards, rodents, snakes, birds, amphibians, and the occasional fruit are eaten when available. It will also eat carrion and eggs. As befits the popular image of mongooses, the slender mongoose is capable of killing and subsequently eating venomous snakes, but such snakes do not constitute a significant portion of its diet.

Diet often changes during seasons where certain sources of food become less available. Insects are more likely to be consumed in during wet-months whereas larger prey is consumed during dry-months. This adaptability aids the slender common mongoose's ability to survive when changes in habitat occur.

4-6-2019 LINYANTI CAMP, BOTSWANA - ARNOT'S CHAT (Myrmecocichla arnotti) COURTESY OF MRS VALERIE FISHER

Arnot's Chat (*Myrmecocichla arnotti) is a striking southern African bird known for its black plumage, huge white wing patch, and distinctive head markings (white cap for males, large white throat for females). Found in miombo and mopane woodlands, this chat forages low in trees and on the ground, has an exuberant song, and nests in tree hollows. Its population faces threats from habitat loss and DDT use, notes Birds of the World. 

Key Facts:

Appearance: Medium-sized, black chat with prominent white wing patches; males have a white crown, females a large white throat patch.

Habitat: Prefers dry woodlands (miombo, mopane) and bushy areas in south-central Africa.

Diet & Behavior: Forages in mid-to-low tree levels and on the ground; often in pairs or family groups.

Vocalization: Features a fast, exuberant song of clucks, whistles, and rattles.

Nesting: Builds nests in tree holes, sometimes using old woodpecker holes, filling them with debris.

Conservation: Experiences local declines due to habitat destruction and DDT, according to BirdLife International.

Name Origin: Named after a Canon Tristram, who mistakenly spelled the knight's name as "Arnott" when assigning the honorific, says Birds of the World. 

4-6-2019 LINYANTI CAMP, BOTSWANA - AFRICAN RED EYED BULBUL (Pycnonotus nigricans)

The Red-eyed Bulbul, specifically the African Red-eyed Bulbul (Pycnonotus nigricans), is a common, crested songbird in arid African woodlands with distinctive orange-red eye rings, grey-brown upper parts, white underparts, and a bright yellow vent, feeding on fruits, nectar, and insects, known for its musical, bubbly song, often found in pairs, and generally of 'Least Concern' status. 

Its natural habitats are dry savanna, subtropical or tropical dry shrubland, and riverine scrub. It feeds on fruit (including Ficus), flowers, nectar, and insects.

Appearance & Identification

Eye Ring: A bright, fleshy orange-red ring around dark eyes is its most defining feature.

Plumage: Greyish-brown above, white below, with a dark head and crest.

Vent: A striking yellow patch under its tail.

Size: About 20 cm long, with males slightly larger. 

Habitat & Behavior

Range: Found in dry savannas, shrublands, and riverine thickets in southwestern Africa.

Social: Often seen in monogamous pairs, but also small flocks.

Vocalization: Sings a musical, bubbly song, slower than the Common Bulbul. 

Diet & Nesting

Diet: Primarily fruits, but also eats flowers, nectar, and insects (arthropods).

Nesting: Female builds a flimsy cup nest from plant fibers, bound with spiderwebs, hidden in a bush fork.

Breeding: Lays 2-3 speckled eggs, incubated by the female for 12-13 days; both parents feed hatchlings. 

Conservation

Status: Classified as 'Least Concern' by the IUCN, with a growing population.

Threats: Generally adaptable, but faces habitat loss in some areas. 

4-6-2019 LINYANTI CAMP, BOTSWANA - AFRICAN HAWK EAGLE (Aquila spilogaster)

The African hawk-eagle (Aquila spilogaster) is a large bird of prey. Like all eagles, it belongs to the family Accipitridae. This species' feathered legs mark it as a member of the Aquilinae subfamily. The African hawk-eagle breeds in tropical Sub-Saharan Africa. It is a bird of assorted woodland, including both savanna and hilly areas, but they tend to occur in woodland that is typically dry. The species tends to be rare in areas where their preferred habitat type is absent. This species builds a stick nest of around 1 m (3.3 ft) across in a large tree. The clutch is generally one or two eggs. The African hawk-eagle is powerfully built and hunts small to medium-sized mammals and birds predominantly, occasionally taking reptiles and other prey as well. The call is a shrill kluu-kluu-kluu. The African hawk-eagle is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, but a study in 2024 showed that this species is experiencing a severe population decline of ~91%, suggesting it be listed as critically endangered. 

The African hawk-eagle has a somewhat small head but one that protrudes quite well due its quite long neck and relatively prominent beak. Furthermore, the species possesses a longish tail, with long and somewhat slender feathered legs and has large, robust feet. Although African hawk-eagles occasionally take to perching in the open, they usually are somewhat obscured for much of the day within the cover of foliage and often perch relatively low down in tall trees. The wing tips tend to fall a bit short of the tail tip. The adult African hawk-eagle evidences a fairly pied look with slate black-grey coloration above and whitish coloration below. At a distance, they may appear purely black-and-white but at close range they show sparse but extensive white flecks on the mantle and wing coverts. Occasionally, a greyer patch may be apparent on the folded secondaries of perched or sitting birds. The tail of an adult is grey with thin dark bars, a broad subterminal band and a white tail tip. 

The adult hawk-eagle's underside is white with bold but small and sparse drop-like blackish streaks. As was noted in a 2010 study, in a usual instance of plumage sexual dimorphism for an Aquilinae eagle, the underside tends to more sparsely marked on adult males and more densely marked on adult females to such a degree that an experienced observer may be able to sex individual African hawk-eagles despite the two sexes being similar in size. The adult African hawk-eagles has whitish coloring on the thighs and the crissum. The juvenile of the species is highly distinct from older hawk-eagles. Juveniles are moderately dark brown above with some pale edging, a slightly black-streaked head and a more clearly barred tail than adult hawk-eagles. The underside has a tawny-rufous base colour. When juvenile African hawk-eagles present black shaft streaks below they are usually only obvious on the flanks and they can border on being absent. Once developing as an immature at two to four years old, the upperside becomes progressively darker, the underside paler and more streaked and a subterminal tail band forms. At four years of age, as in related species, the African hawk-eagle becomes fully mature. The eyes of adult hawk-eagles are rich yellow while those of juveniles are hazel-brown while the cere and feet at all ages range from dull to somewhat brighter yellow.

4-6-2019 LINYANTI CAMP, BOTSWANA - AFRICAN SAVANNA ELEPHANT (Loxodonta Africana)

African savanna elephants (Loxodonta africana) are the world's largest land animals, characterized by huge ears (for cooling), long trunks (with two finger-like tips for grasping), and large, curving tusks (on both sexes). These highly social, intelligent herbivores eat massive amounts of vegetation, live in matriarchal family groups, and play crucial roles in shaping their diverse habitats, from grasslands to deserts, though they are listed as Endangered due to poaching and habitat loss. 

Size & Appearance

Largest Land Mammal: Up to 13 feet tall and weighing up to 7 tons (11 tons for large males).

Ears: Large, fan-shaped ears help radiate heat.

Trunk: Contains thousands of muscles, used for breathing, smelling, drinking, and grabbing.

Tusks: Both males and females grow tusks that curve outwards, unlike forest elephants. 

Social Behavior & Life

Matriarchal: Live in family units led by the oldest female (matriarch).

Males: Bulls leave the family around puberty and often live solitary lives or in bachelor groups.

Lifespan: Can live up to 60-70 years in the wild. 

Diet & Habitat

Diet: Herbivores, eating grasses, leaves, bark, roots, and fruits; need about 350 lbs of food daily.

Habitat: Found across diverse African landscapes, including savannas, woodlands, and even deserts. 

Ecological Role & Threats

Keystone Species: Their feeding and movement help maintain habitats, disperse seeds, and create waterholes for other animals.

Conservation: Listed as Endangered, facing threats from poaching (ivory trade) and human-elephant conflict. 

The African savanna elephant (Loxodonta africana), also known as the African bush elephant, is the largest land animal on Earth and is classified as Endangered by the IUCN. 

Here are key facts about this remarkable species:

Physical Characteristics

Size: Adult males can stand up to 10–13 feet (3–4 meters) tall at the shoulder and weigh as much as 7 tons (14,000 pounds).

Trunk: The trunk is an elongated nose and upper lip, a highly sensitive and strong appendage with around 40,000 to 60,000 muscles that can lift hundreds of pounds yet also manipulate small objects.

Ears: Their large, continent-shaped ears are covered in blood vessels and are used to radiate excess heat, helping them stay cool in the hot African climate.

Tusks: Both males and females have tusks, which are actually enlarged incisor teeth that grow continuously throughout their lives. They are used for defense, foraging, and digging for water. 

Diet and Habitat

Habitat: They are found across sub-Saharan Africa, in a variety of open habitats including grasslands, savannas, woodlands, and even some deserts.

Diet: As herbivores, they spend a large part of their day foraging, eating up to 350 pounds (150 kg) of vegetation daily, including grasses, leaves, bark, fruit, and roots.

Ecosystem Engineers: Elephants play a critical role in their environment. By reducing tree densities, they help maintain open savannas and create water holes by digging in dry riverbeds, benefiting many other species.

Behavior and Social Structure

Social Life: Elephants are highly social animals that live in complex, matriarchal family units consisting of related females and their young.

Matriarchs: Herds are led by the oldest and often wisest female, the matriarch, who uses her long-term memory to guide the group to food and water sources.

Communication: They communicate using a variety of low-frequency sounds (infrasound) that can travel over long distances, as well as body language and touch.

Intelligence: Elephants possess a highly developed brain, the largest of any land mammal, and exhibit behaviors associated with self-awareness, empathy, grief, and play.

Reproduction: They have the longest gestation period of any mammal, lasting 22 months. Calves are protected and raised by the entire herd in a practice called allomothering. 

Conservation Status and Threats

Lifespan: In the wild, African savanna elephants can live for up to 60-70 years.

Status: The species is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.

Major Threats: The primary threats are illegal poaching for their ivory tusks and habitat loss due to expanding human populations and agriculture, which often leads to human-elephant conflict. 

3-6-2019 LINYANTI CAMP, BOTSWANA - KALAHARI YELLOW BILLED HORNBILL (Tockus leucomelas ssp. leucomelas)

The Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill, known scientifically as Tockus leucomelas, is a medium-sized bird, with a length ranging from 48 to 60 centimeters and a weight between 132 and 242 grams. Its most striking feature is the long, down-curved yellow beak, which is disproportionately large compared to its body, making up to one-sixth of its body length. Males boast a longer beak, averaging 90 millimeters, while females have a slightly shorter one, averaging 74 millimeters. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism, with males generally larger than females. The bird's plumage is a combination of white, grey, and black, with the white belly and grey neck contrasting against the black back adorned with white spots and stripes. The eyes are typically yellow, though brown variations exist, and the skin around the eyes and malar stripe is pinkish.

To identify the Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill, look for the long yellow beak and modest-sized casque that covers almost the entire length of the beak in males. The bird's white belly, grey neck with spots, and black back with white markings are also distinctive. The male's larger size and longer beak are reliable indicators for sex differentiation in the field.

This hornbill species is a common and widespread resident of the dry thornveldt and broad-leafed woodlands, often seen along roads and watercourses. They show a preference for acacia and broadleaved woodlands when available.

The Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill is near-endemic to the dry savannas of southern Africa, with its range extending from Angola and Namibia in the west to Mozambique and KwaZulu-Natal in the east, including Botswana, Zimbabwe, and northern South Africa.

Active during the day, these birds are often solitary, but may form couples or small groups, especially during breeding or nesting seasons, or when local migration occurs during the dry season. They are ground foragers, not digging but rather overturning debris to find food. They are sedentary but may roam in search of sustenance during dry spells. Monogamous pairs defend their territories with elaborate displays.

The Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill's vocal repertoire includes a piercing cry, whistles, grunts, and cackles. These calls are used for territory demarcation and long-distance communication, often accompanied by physical displays.

Their diet consists mainly of arthropods like termites, beetles, larvae, grasshoppers, and caterpillars, supplemented by small mammals, berries, fruits, nuts, and eggs from other species. They use their beak as forceps to grasp and toss food into their throat, with serrated inner edges aiding in crushing and fragmenting their prey.

3-6-2019 LINYANTI CAMP, BOTSWANA - COMMON WATERBUCK (Kobus ellipsiprymnus ssp. ellipsiprymnus)

The waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) is a large antelope found widely in sub-Saharan Africa. It is in the genus Kobus of the family Bovidae. It was first described by Irish naturalist William Ogilby in 1833. Its 13 subspecies are grouped under two varieties: the common or ellipsiprymnus waterbuck and the defassa waterbuck. Their coat colour varies from brown to grey. The long, spiral horns, present only on males, curve backward, then forward, and are 55–99 cm (22–39 in) long.

Waterbucks are rather sedentary in nature. As gregarious animals, they may form herds consisting of six to thirty individuals. These groups are either nursery herds with females and their offspring or bachelor herds. Males start showing territorial behaviour from the age of five years, but are most dominant from six to nine. The waterbuck cannot tolerate dehydration in hot weather, and thus inhabits areas close to sources of water. Predominantly a grazer, the waterbuck is mostly found on grassland. In equatorial regions, breeding takes place throughout the year, but births are at their peak in the rainy season. The gestational period lasts 7–8 months, followed by the birth of a single calf.

Waterbucks inhabit scrub and savanna areas along rivers, lakes, and valleys. Due to their requirement for grasslands and water, waterbucks have a sparse ecotone distribution. The IUCN lists the waterbuck as being of least concern. More specifically, the common waterbuck is listed as of least concern, while the defassa waterbuck is near threatened. The population trend for both is downwards, especially that of the defassa, with large populations being eliminated from certain habitats because of poaching and human disturbance.

3-6-2019 LINYANTI CAMP, BOTSWANA - AFRICAN SAVANNA 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 (10.0–11.0 ft) and a body mass of 5.2–6.9 tonnes (5.7–7.6 short tons); the largest recorded specimen had a shoulder height of 3.96 metres (13.0 ft) and an estimated body mass of 10.4 tonnes (11.5 short tons). 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.

3-6-2019 LINYANTI CAMP, BOTSWANA - PLAINS ZEBRA (Equus quagga)

The plains zebra (Equus quagga, formerly Equus burchellii) is the most common and geographically widespread species of zebra. Its range is fragmented, but spans much of southern and eastern Africa south of the Sahara. Six or seven subspecies have been recognised, including the quagga which was thought to be a separate species. More recent research supports variations in zebra populations being clines rather than subspecies.

Plains zebras are intermediate in size between the larger Grévy's zebra and the smaller mountain zebra and tend to have broader stripes than both. Great variation in coat patterns exists between clines and individuals. The plains zebra's habitat is generally, but not exclusively, treeless grasslands and savanna woodlands, both tropical and temperate. They generally avoid desert, dense rainforest and permanent wetlands. Zebras are preyed upon by lions and spotted hyenas, Nile crocodiles and, to a lesser extent, leopards, cheetahs and African wild dogs.

3-6-2019 LINYANTI CAMP, BOTSWANA - HELMETED GUINEA FOWL (Numida meleagris)

The Helmeted Guineafowl, Numida meleagris, is a distinctive bird, easily recognized by its round body, small head, and striking plumage. Adults typically measure 53 to 58 cm in length and weigh around 1.3 kg. Their feathers are predominantly gray-black, speckled with white, providing them with a somewhat polka-dotted appearance.

One can identify the Helmeted Guineafowl by its bare head adorned with a bony knob, which can be dull yellow or reddish, and the surrounding skin may exhibit red, blue, or black colors. The wings and tail are short, contributing to a rather compact silhouette. Subspecies vary mainly in the size, shape, and color of the casque and facial wattles.

These birds favor warm, open environments with scattered shrubs and trees, such as savannas or farmlands, where they can forage and breed.

Native to Africa, mainly south of the Sahara, the Helmeted Guineafowl has been introduced to various regions worldwide, including the West Indies, North America, Colombia, Brazil, Australia, and Europe.

Helmeted Guineafowls are social creatures, forming flocks of about 25 individuals outside the breeding season. They are ground-dwelling birds, preferring to run rather than fly when threatened. Their flight is short and explosive, relying on gliding for longer distances. They are adept at running and can cover up to 10 km in a day. When alarmed, they emit loud, harsh calls.

3-6-2019 LINYANTI CAMP, BOTSWANA - GUINEAFOWL BUTTERFLY (Hamanumida daedalus)

The genus Hamanumida comprises of a single species – daedalus, which is popularly known as the Guineafowl due to its colour and pattern which resembles that of the guineafowl bird.

Hamanumida daedalus is widespread across Africa including Madagascar. It also occurs in the Arab states.

This is a grassland / savannah species found at altitudes between sea level and about 800m. It is associated mainly with dry, rocky grassland where there are scattered bushes and trees, but also rapidly colonises abandoned agricultural land.

The primary larval foodplant is Combretum, but Terminalia and Tectona (teak) are also used.

The butterflies are normally seen singly or in two’s and three’s. Males will mud-puddle at the edges of fords and small streams, but both sexes are more commonly seen aggregating at the top of hills where courtship and copulation take place. They fly very low over the ground, and frequently settle to bask on bare ground or on rocks or boulders. At all times they remain very alert, taking flight at the slightest disturbance.

3-6-2019 LINYANTI CAMP, BOTSWANA - GREEN BACKED CAMAROPTERA (Camaroptera brachyura)

The Green-backed Camaroptera (Camaroptera brachyura) is a small, insect-eating African bird known for its "bleating" alarm call, distinctive tail-cocking, and preference for dense thickets near water in savanna and woodland; it builds unique ball-shaped nests from leaves and spiderwebs, often parasitized by cuckoos, and is common but secretive, inhabiting undergrowth and forest edges across sub-Saharan Africa. 

Appearance: Small, rotund, wren-like, with olive-green wings, gray-white underparts, red eyes, and a short tail it frequently cocks.

Name Origin: Brachyura means "short-tailed" in Greek, though the tail is prominent with its movements.

Habitat: Prefers moist bush, riverine woodland, forest edges, and thickets, often near water, across much of Africa.

Diet: Primarily insects (caterpillars, beetles, ants), foraging low to the ground or in leaf litter.

Vocalization: Famous for its nasal "meehrrp" alarm (like a bleating lamb) and a strident "strik-strik-strik" song, sometimes with bill snapping.

Nesting: Builds a unique ball-shaped nest of leaves bound with spiderwebs, often low in shrubs, and both parents incubate and feed chicks.

Behavior: Forages alone or in pairs, gleaning insects and flushing prey, often mimicking tail-cocking of wrens.

Brood Parasitism: Frequently targeted by the African emerald cuckoo.

Variations: Sometimes split into "green-backed" (eastern) and "grey-backed" (rest of Africa) forms, though debated. 

3-6-2019 LINYANTI CAMP, BOTSWANA - MARTIAL EAGLE (Polemaetus bellicosus)

The Martial Eagle (Polemaetus bellicosus), a formidable raptor, reigns over the sub-Saharan skies. This solitary species, the sole member of its genus, is distinguished by its impressive size and power. With feathered tarsi characteristic of the booted eagle subfamily, it is one of the largest of its kind. The Martial Eagle is an apex predator, soaring high to stoop upon a diverse array of prey, from mammals to reptiles.

Adult Martial Eagles exhibit a dark brown plumage on their upperparts, head, and upper chest, with occasional lighter feather edges. Their underparts are white, marked with sparse blackish-brown spots. In flight, their long broad wings and short tail give them a distinctive silhouette. Juveniles are paler with a greyish mottled appearance and take up to seven years to acquire their adult plumage.

The Martial Eagle favors wooded belts within open savanna landscapes, avoiding dense forests and arid deserts. It is often found perched in an upright position in large trees, surveying its territory.

This eagle's range spans across sub-Saharan Africa, with higher densities in southern and parts of east Africa. It is more sporadic in west Africa, with notable populations in protected areas such as South Africa's Kruger National Park.

Martial Eagles spend a significant portion of their day aloft, soaring at great heights. They are solitary outside of the breeding season and exhibit a preference for less disturbed areas, likely due to the abundance of prey and aversion to human activity.

The Martial Eagle is not a frequent vocalizer, but it does emit a low mellow whistle as a contact call and a louder, trilling call during territorial displays.

Breeding occurs at various times across their range, with nests built high in large trees. They lay usually one egg, with the female performing most of the incubation. Fledglings remain dependent on their parents for several months post-fledging.

The Black-chested Snake Eagle may be confused with the Martial Eagle but is significantly smaller with different coloring and flight patterns. Juvenile Martial Eagles may be mistaken for juvenile Crowned Eagles but differ in wing and tail proportions.

Diet and Feeding

Martial Eagles are opportunistic predators, with a diet comprising mammals, birds, and reptiles. They are known for hunting from a high soar, using their keen eyesight to spot prey from several kilometers away.

The Martial Eagle is currently classified as Endangered by the IUCN, with populations declining due to factors such as persecution, habitat destruction, and collisions with power lines. Conservation efforts focus on education and the expansion of protected areas.

3-6-2019 LINYANTI CAMP, BOTSWANA - 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.

3-6-2019 LINYANTI CAMP, BOTSWANA - EMERALD SPOTTED WOOD DOVE (Turtur chalcospilos ssp. zambesiensis)

The emerald-spotted wood dove or emerald-spotted dove (Turtur chalcospilos) is a bird of the family Columbidae, resident across eastern and southern Africa. It is a species of open drier deciduous woodland and second growth. It is absent from evergreen rainforests and semidesert areas.

At Hluhluwe-Umfolozi, South Africa, showing the bluish-emerald wing spots

Calling in woodland during autumn

The emerald-spotted wood dove is a small plump pigeon, typically 20 cm in length. Its back, hindneck, wings, and tail are pale grey-brown, and the folded wings have green metallic patches. There are blackish bands on the lower back and tail. The forehead, crown, and nape are bluish-grey, fading to pinkish-grey on the throat. The underparts are mauve-pink, becoming whiter on the belly.

The bill of this dove is blackish with a red base. The sexes are similar, but the female may be slightly duller than the male. The immature has duller green spots and buff fringes to the feathers. When flying, the black-billed wood dove is told from this species by its bright chestnut underwings.

The call is in three parts: two soft long coos, followed by a series of slow descending coos lasting 10 seconds, and concluding with 4 seconds of rapid coos, which decrease in volume.

This species shows some geographical variation in plumage, but differences are clinal, and emerald-spotted wood dove is now considered to be monotypic.

The emerald-spotted wood dove builds a flimsy stick nest in a tree or shrub, and lays two cream-coloured eggs. Both sexes incubate for 13–17 days to hatching, and feed the squabs for 13–17 days to fledging. Many young birds are taken by mongooses and shrikes.

The emerald-spotted wood dove is not gregarious, but flocks may form at waterholes. This species usually forages on the ground for grass and other small seeds.