BIRDWALKERMONDAY

Sunday, 29 April 2018

17-4-2018 CHOBE RIVER, BOTSWANA - AFRICAN PIED KINGFISHER (Ceryle rudis ssp rudis)

The pied kingfisher (Ceryle rudis) is a striking water kingfisher, known for its black and white plumage and distinctive crest. It is a medium-sized bird, approximately 25 cm in length, with a white face featuring a black mask and a white supercilium. The male is characterized by a double band across the breast, while the female sports a single, often broken, breast band.

When identifying the pied kingfisher, look for its unique black and white barred pattern and prominent crest. The male's double breast band and the female's single broken band are key differentiators between the sexes. The subspecies vary slightly in size and coloration, with some having larger bills or reduced white in their plumage.

This kingfisher is commonly found perched along the edges of clear lakes and rivers, where it can easily spot and dive for fish.

The pied kingfisher is widely distributed across sub-Saharan Africa and southern Asia, from Turkey to India and China. It is a resident species, with most populations not engaging in long migrations.

The pied kingfisher is often seen bobbing its head and flicking its tail while perched. It is a sociable bird, known to form large roosts at night. Its flight is direct and rapid, sometimes reaching speeds close to 50 km/h.

This species is quite vocal, emitting sharp "chirruk chirruk" notes that contribute to its presence being easily detected.

Breeding season for the pied kingfisher typically occurs from February to April in India. They nest in holes excavated in vertical mud banks above water. The nests are tunnel-like, leading to a chamber where a clutch of three to six white eggs is laid. Cooperative breeding is observed in this species, with non-breeding offspring from previous broods assisting in raising the young.

The pied kingfisher can be confused with other black and white kingfishers, but its size, habitat preference, and behavior make it distinctive.

Boldly marked black-and-white kingfisher with short, bushy crest and glossy all-dark bill. Superficially similar to Crested Kingfisher, but smaller, with a much more distinctly patterned head and breast and less erect crest. Frequently seen perched in pairs or small groups. Often hovers over water when seeking prey. Inhabits a wide range of waterside habitats, from lakes to estuaries to mangroves. Gives a variety of sharp notes, as well as dry trilling and rattling calls.

Primarily piscivorous, the pied kingfisher feeds on fish, crustaceans, and large aquatic insects. It employs a unique hunting technique of hovering over water before diving headfirst to catch prey. It is capable of consuming its catch mid-flight, allowing it to hunt over large bodies of water.

The pied kingfisher is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, indicating that it is not at immediate risk of population decline.

17-4-2018 CHOBE RIVER, BOTSWANA - MALACHITE KINGFISHER (Corythornis cristatus)

29-4-2018 VILLALONGA RESERVOIR, VALENCIA - EURASIAN GREAT CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax carbo)

The Great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) is a widespread member of the cormorant family of seabirds. Many fishermen see in the Great cormorant a competitor for fish. Because of this, it was hunted nearly to extinction in the past but luckily due to conservation efforts, its numbers increased.

The Great cormorant is a large black bird, but there is a wide variation in size in the species' wide range. Males are typically larger and heavier than females. It has a longish tail and yellow throat patch. Adults have white patches on the thighs and on the throat in the breeding season. In European waters, the Great cormorant can be distinguished from the Common shag by its larger size, heavier build, thicker bill, lack of a crest, and plumage without any green tinge. In eastern North America, it is similarly larger and bulkier than the Double-crested cormorant, and the latter species has more yellow on the throat and bill and lack the white thigh patches frequently seen on great cormorants.

29-4-2018 VILLALONGA RESERVOIR, VALENCIA - BOAR THISTLE (Galactites tomentosa)

29-4-2018 VILLALONGA RESERVOIR, VALENCIA - LARGE BINDWEED (Calystegia silvatica)

Calystegia silvatica (large bindweed) is the largest species of bindweed and is a strong rampant climber. It is native to southern Europe but has been introduced to many other areas because it is an attractive garden plant. Calystegia silvatica subsp. fraterniflora (Mack. & Bush) Brummitt (short-stalked false bindweed) is native to North America.

It has large, arrow-shaped leaves and showy white trumpet-shaped flowers up to 9 centimeters in diameter. It is considered a weed in some areas where it has escaped cultivation and now grows wild. It spreads easily via hardy rhizomes. There are several subspecies.

Large bindweed is a glabrous herbaceous perennial that twines in a counter-clockwise direction to a height of up to 5 m. The leaves are arranged alternately on the spiralling stem on petioles up to 15 cm. The leaves are dull green above and paler below, simple and sagittate (arrowhead shaped), up to 15 cm long and up to 9 cm wide.

The flowers are white, sometimes narrowly pink on the outside only, produced from late spring to the end of summer (between July and September in northern Europe). The buds are enclosed by large (4.8 cm long), ovate, green bracteoles pouched at the base; during anthesis they strongly overlap. The open flowers are trumpet-shaped and 6–9 cm diameter. After flowering, the fruit develops as an almost spherical capsule, which is hidden by the bracts. It is 1 cm in diameter, containing two to four large, dark brown or black seeds that are shaped like quartered oranges.

27-4-2018 OLIVA MARJAL, VALENCIA - PINK SORREL (oxalis articulata)

17-4-2018 CHOBE RIVER, BOTSWANA - COMMON SANDPIPER (Actitis hypoleucos)

The Common Sandpiper, Actitis hypoleucos, is a small wader of the Palearctic region, easily recognized by its greyish-brown upperparts and pristine white underparts. Adults typically measure between 18-20 cm in length, with a wingspan of 32-35 cm. They possess short, dark-yellowish legs and feet, and a bill that is pale at the base with a dark tip.

In the field, look for the Common Sandpiper's distinctive stiff-winged flight pattern, just above the water's surface. During the non-breeding season, they appear duller and exhibit more noticeable barring on the wings, which is most visible at close range. Juveniles display heavier barring above and buff edges to their wing feathers. The species can be differentiated from the similar Spotted Sandpiper by its darker legs and feet and the crisper wing pattern, especially in flight.

These birds are often found near freshwater sources, where they nest on the ground in close proximity to the water's edge.

The Common Sandpiper breeds across much of temperate and subtropical Europe and Asia. It is a migratory bird, wintering in Africa, southern Asia, and Australia. During migration, large numbers may congregate in stop-over locations such as Palau in Micronesia.

Common Sandpipers are typically solitary or found in small groups. They may form larger flocks during migration or at breeding season roosts but seldom join multispecies flocks.

When breeding, these birds nest on the ground near freshwater. A notable behavior is the young's ability to cling to a parent's body, being flown to safety when threatened.

The Spotted Sandpiper (A. macularia) is the most similar species, especially in non-breeding plumage. However, the Common Sandpiper's darker legs and more defined wing pattern in flight help distinguish it.

The Common Sandpiper forages by sight, picking up small food items such as insects, crustaceans, and other invertebrates from the ground or shallow water. It is also known to catch insects in flight.

The species is widespread and common, thus classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. However, it is considered vulnerable in some Australian states. The Common Sandpiper is protected under the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA).

17-4-2018 CHOBE RIVER, BOTSWANA - WHITE HEADED LAPWING (Vanellus albiceps)

The White-crowned Lapwing, also known as the White-headed Lapwing, White-headed Plover, or White-crowned Plover, is a medium-sized wader that presents a striking appearance. Its upper body is adorned with a brown back, while the wings and tail exhibit a bold black and white pattern. The underparts are a clean white. The head is particularly distinctive with a grey base, a brilliant white crown, and a white foreneck. Adding to its unique visage are the yellow eyering, facial wattles, and legs. Both sexes and juveniles share a similar plumage, making them indistinguishable in the field.

When attempting to identify the White-crowned Lapwing, look for the unmistakable combination of its white crown, grey head, and the contrasting black and white patterns on its wings and tail. The yellow eyering and wattles are also key features that aid in its identification.

This species is typically found in tropical Africa, favoring habitats near large rivers. It thrives in areas where sand or shingle is exposed, providing suitable breeding grounds.

The White-crowned Lapwing is a resident bird throughout tropical Africa, maintaining a presence year-round near its preferred riverine environments.

The White-crowned Lapwing is known for its breeding behavior, where it lays 2-3 eggs in a ground scrape near rivers. It is fiercely protective of its nest and young, defending them with vigor against any potential threats, regardless of size. Outside of breeding season, it is common to see these birds feeding in small flocks, where they forage for insects and other small invertebrates.

A diet primarily composed of insects and small invertebrates sustains the White-crowned Lapwing. It often feeds in small groups, especially when not engaged in breeding activities.

The White-crowned Lapwing is currently classified as Least Concern by the IUCN. It is also a species protected under the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA), ensuring international efforts are made to safeguard its future.

17-4-2018 CHOBE RIVER, BOTSWANA - AFRICAN PIED WAGTAIL (Motacilla aguimp)

The African pied wagtail, or African wagtail, (Motacilla aguimp) is a species of bird in the family Motacillidae.

A striking black and white wagtail with black upperparts contrasting with white underparts, it has a white supercilium and a white patch in the folded wing. Juvenile birds are greyer, while birds of the nominate subspecies show grey flanks. They are 20 cm (7.9 in) long.

The African pied wagtail is found in sub-Saharan Africa from the Eastern Cape north to extreme southern Egypt and from Guinea to western Eritrea and Somalia. It is a vagrant to Burkina Faso, Gambia, Mauritania, and the Western Cape.

The African pied wagtail inhabits subtropical or tropical, seasonally wet or flooded, lowland grassland, rivers, and sometimes freshwater marshes. In some areas, it is commensal with humans in towns and villages.

In Malawi, African pied wagtails start breeding before the rains and continue to breed into the rainy season; they breed during six months, peaking in March and October. Both the males and females participate in nest building, but only the females incubate, and both sexes feed the young. The mean clutch in Malawi was found to be 3.9 eggs.

The African pied wagtail is monogamous; the cup-shaped nest is lined with grass and feathers and is usually situated near water in a convenient tangle of sticks. In settlements, the nest may be located on buildings. The nests of the African pied wagtail are parasitised by the red-chested cuckoo Cuculus solitarius and the diderick cuckoo Chrysococcyx caprius. The chicks have been recorded as prey of Burchell's coucal Centropus burchellii.

17-4-2018 CHOBE RIVER, BOTSWANA - AFRICAN JACANA (Actophilornis africanus)

17-4-2018 CHOBE RIVER, BOTSWANA - SAVANNAH ELEPHANT (Loxodonta Africana)

The African bush elephant (Loxodonta africana), also known as the African savanna elephant, is a species of elephant native to sub-Saharan Africa. It is one of three extant elephant species and, along with the African forest elephant, one of two extant species of African elephant. It is the largest living terrestrial animal, with fully grown bulls reaching an average shoulder height of 3.04–3.36 metres (10.0–11.0 ft) and a body mass of 5.2–6.9 tonnes (11,000–15,000 lb); the largest recorded specimen had a shoulder height of 3.96 metres (13.0 ft) and an estimated body mass of 10.4 tonnes (23,000 lb). The African bush elephant is characterised by its long prehensile trunk with two finger-like processes; a convex back; large ears which help reduce body heat; and sturdy tusks that are noticeably curved. The skin is grey with scanty hairs, and bending cracks which support thermoregulation by retaining water.

The African bush elephant inhabits a variety of habitats such as forests, grasslands, woodlands, wetlands and agricultural land. It is a mixed herbivore feeding mostly on grasses, creepers, herbs, leaves, and bark. The average adult consumes about 150 kg (330 lb) of vegetation and 230 L (51 imp gal; 61 US gal) of water each day. A social animal, the African bush elephant often travels in herds composed of cows and their offspring. Adult bulls usually live alone or in small bachelor groups. During the mating season, males go through a process called musth; a period of high testosterone levels and heightened aggression. For females, the menstrual cycle lasts three to four months, and gestation around 22 months, the longest of any mammal.

12-4-2018 VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE - WHITE BROWED SPARROW WEAVER (Plocepasser mahili)

12-4-2018 VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE - CHOBE DWARF (Lygodactylus capensis)

The Okavango dwarf gecko or Chobe dwarf gecko (Lygodactylus chobiensis) is a species of gecko found along the Chobe and Zambesi Rivers and into the Okavango Delta, and into Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Zambia.

A large dwarf gecko (normally 25–30 mm in snout–vent length) with males being slightly larger than the females. It has a blue-grey back covered with large pale spots and a yellow belly. The male throat may be black or pale yellow and has two dark chevrons.

They mature at around 9 months and have a lifespan of 18 months.

The Okavango dwarf gecko is normally arboreal and can found on tree trunks and sometimes buildings of the tropical savanna and flooded grasslands. It prefers to forage high up in trees and can often be found on acacia, baobab and mopane trees.

Their diet is mainly ants and termites.

Reproduction occurs throughout the year and two hard-shelled eggs (5 × 6.5 mm) are laid every 8 weeks beneath the tree bark or in disused termite mound. The eggs hatch in about 125 days and the young geckos are about 30 mm in length.

12-4-2018 VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE - CHOBE DWARF GECKO (Lygodactylus chobiensis)

12-4-2018 VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE - GUTTURAL TOAD (Sclerophrys gutturalis)

6-4-2018 THORNYBUSH GAME LODGE, SOUTH AFRICA - INCOLOROUS PEARL MOTH (Hodebertia testalis)

Hodebertia is a genus of micro-moth of the family Crambidae. It contains only one species, Hodebertia testalis, and is found in the tropics, but ranges north to parts of Europe on occasion.

Adults are white, with two ragged brown arcs across each wing. The larvae feed on Hibiscus, Gomphocarpus and Asclepias species (including Asclepias curassavica).

Hodebertia testalis is an African tropical species which has been recorded in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Réunion, Saint Helena, Somalia, South Africa and Zambia. It is occasionally found in Europe and has been reported from Croatia, England (St Mary's, Isles of Scilly), France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland. Elsewhere it has been found in Australia (Queensland), India, Indonesia, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Syria, Taiwan and Yemen.

24-4-2018 JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - RUFOUS NECKED WRYNECK (Jynx ruficollis)

6-4-2018 THORNYBUSH GAME LODGE, SOUTH AFRICA - RED BILLED OXPECKER (Buphagus erythrorhynchus)

6-4-2018 THORNYBUSH GAME LODGE, SOUTH AFRICA - SOUTHERN RED BILLED HORNBILL (Tockus rufirostris)

The Southern red-billed hornbill, Tockus rufirostris, is a distinguished member of the Bucerotidae family, gracing the savannas and drier bushlands of southern Africa with its presence. This bird is characterized by its striking red bill and the streaks of blackish plumage that extend from its ear coverts down the side of its neck.

Upon observing this species, one will note the sexual dimorphism where males are generally larger with slightly longer bills. The male's lower mandible may exhibit varying degrees of black pigmentation. Both sexes boast a yellow iris surrounded by pale orbital skin, ranging from pink to greyish hues. The throat is a pristine white, and the wing coverts are adorned with conspicuous spots.

The Southern red-billed hornbill is a native inhabitant of the savannas and dryer bushlands, thriving in these open environments where it can forage and nest.

This hornbill's range extends from Malawi and Zambia to southern Angola, northeastern Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, eastern Eswatini, and northern South Africa, including Transvaal and northern KZN province. It is also found in the upper Zambezi valley of Mozambique, though it is mostly absent from the eastern lowlands.

A notable behavior of the Southern red-billed hornbill is its unique call, an accelerating series of notes that culminates in a crescendo of double notes. Unlike its congeners, this species does not engage in wing-raising displays.

The vocal repertoire of this hornbill includes a distinctive call that starts with a series of "kuk kuk kuk" notes and ends with a flourish of double notes, "kuk-we kuk-we."

The Southern red-billed hornbill can be confused with other red-billed hornbills, but it can be distinguished by its unique combination of yellow iris, pale orbital skin, and the pattern of blackish streaking on the neck.

The conservation status of the Southern red-billed hornbill is not explicitly mentioned, but given its wide distribution, it may not currently be of significant conservation concern. However, like all wildlife, it would benefit from ongoing habitat protection and monitoring.

6-4-2018 THORNYBUSH GAME LODGE, SOUTH AFRICA - EASTERN PARADISE WHYDAH (Vidua paradisaea)

The Long-tailed Paradise Whydah, also known as the Eastern Paradise Whydah, is a small passerine bird with a rather unassuming appearance outside of the breeding season. These birds are characterized by their short, stubby bills and are primarily granivorous, feeding on seeds that have ripened and fallen to the ground.

Distinguishing between male and female Long-tailed Paradise Whydahs can be challenging when they are not in breeding plumage. Generally, the birds resemble ordinary sparrows with short tails. Females typically have grey bills and greyish-brown feathers with blackish streaks, and their under tail feathers are more white. Males, outside of the breeding season, have browner plumage with black stripes on the crown, black facial markings, and a deeper brown chest with a creamier abdomen. During breeding, males undergo a dramatic transformation, developing black heads and backs, rusty colored breasts, bright yellow napes, and white abdomens. Their most striking feature is the elongated black tail feathers, which can grow up to 36 centimeters or more.

These birds inhabit grasslands, savannas, and open woodlands, preferring bushed grassland areas around cultivation. They tend to avoid proximity to surface waters.

The Long-tailed Paradise Whydah is found across Sub-Saharan Africa, where it is a resident species.

Long-tailed Paradise Whydahs are social birds, often roosting in flocks during both breeding and non-breeding seasons. They are brood parasites, laying their eggs in the nests of other songbirds without destroying the original eggs. Males have the ability to mimic the songs of their host species, which plays a role in mating.