Sunday, 27 May 2018
20-4-2018 OKAVANGO DELTA, BOTSWANA - ACANTHUS (Ruspolia hypocrateriformis)
Ruspolia hypocrateriformis is a species of plants with 24 observations.
27-5-2018 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - TRUE WEEVIL (Stephanocleonus excoriatus)
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The Curculionidae are a family of weevils, commonly called snout beetles or true weevils. They are one of the largest animal families with 6,800 genera and 83,000 species described worldwide. They are the sister group to the family Brentidae.
They include the bark beetles as the subfamily Scolytinae, which are modified in shape in accordance with their wood-boring lifestyle. They do not much resemble other weevils, so they were traditionally considered a distinct family, Scolytidae. The family also includes the ambrosia beetles, of which the present-day subfamily Platypodinae was formerly considered the distinct family Platypodidae.
Adult Curculionidae can be recognised by the well-developed, downwards-curved snout (rostrum) possessed by many species, though the rostrum is sometimes short (e.g. Entiminae). They have elbowed antennae that end in clubs, and the first antennal segment often fits into a groove in the side of the rostrum. The body tends to be robust, convex, heavily sclerotised and covered in scales or bristles. Curculionidae range in size from 1–35 mm long, usually being 5–15 mm long. Most Curculionidae are sexually dimorphic with females (compared to males) having antennae positioned more basally and a longer, thinner rostrum.
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Larval Curculionidae are C-shaped and lightly sclerotised, with minute antennae, robust mandibles and no legs.
Most weevils feed on plants as larvae and adults, and they include important pests of cultivated plants that chew holes in fruits, nuts and other parts. The long rostrum possessed by most adult weevils is used by females to help lay eggs (oviposit) inside plant tissue. Some feed on rotten wood or bark (e.g. Cossoninae and Cryptorhynchinae), and some are wood-borers that feed on ambrosia fungi (Platypodinae and some Scolytinae).
Although pesticide resistance hasn't historically been an issue with these insects, recently a mutation was discovered in association with the voltage-gated sodium channel in the species Sitophilus zeamais, indicating there is a lot to learn about how these insects adapt to changing environments.
20-4-2018 OKAVANGO DELTA, BOTSWANA - SOUTHERN AFRICAN GIRAFFE (Giraffa giraffa ssp. giraffa)
The South African giraffe or Cape giraffe (Giraffa giraffa or Giraffa camelopardalis giraffa) is a species or subspecies of giraffe found in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Eswatini and Mozambique. It has rounded or blotched spots, some with star-like extensions on a light tan background, running down to the hooves.
In 2016, the population was estimated at 31,500 individuals in the wild.
The IUCN currently recognizes only one species of giraffe with nine subspecies. The Cape giraffe, along with the whole species, were first known by the binomen Camelopardalis giraffa as described by German naturalist Johann Christian Daniel von Schreber in his publication Die Säugethiere in Abbildungen nach der Natur mit Beschreibungen (The Mammals Illustrated from Nature with Descriptions) during his travel in the Cape of Good Hope in 1784. Dutch naturalist Pieter Boddaert also described it under the binomial name Giraffa giraffa whilst also identifying the nominate specimen of said species under the ternary name Giraffa camelopardalis giraffa in 1785.
The South African giraffe has dark, somewhat rounded patches "with some fine projections" on a tawny background colour. The spots extend down the legs and get smaller. The median lump of males is less developed.
The South African giraffe is found in northern South Africa, southern Botswana, southern Zimbabwe, and south-western Mozambique. After local extinctions in various places, South African giraffes have been reintroduced in many parts of Southern Africa, including in Eswatini. They are common in both in and outside of protected areas. South African giraffes usually live in savannahs and woodlands where food plants are available. Giraffes are herbivorous. They feed on leaves, flowers, fruits and shoots of woody plants such as Acacia.
South African giraffes live in a fission–fusion society system based on factors such as sex, age, season, and kinship. This allows them to adapt to environmental changes.
At present[when?], the South African giraffe population is estimated at 37,000 individuals, showing an increase of over 150% over the past three decades. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature, the body that administers the world's official endangered species list, announced in 2016 that it was moving the giraffe from a species of Least Concern to Vulnerable status in its Red List of Threatened Species report. That means the animal faces extinction in the wild in the medium-term future if nothing is done to minimize the threats to its life or habitat.
South African giraffes are uncommon in captivity. As of 2010, there are around 45 South African giraffes breeding in zoos. Approximately 12,000 privately owned farms, ranches, and national parks maintain populations of this giraffe.
20-4-2018 OKAVANGO DELTA, BOTSWANA - TSESSEBE (Damaliscus lunatus)
The common tsessebe or sassaby (Damaliscus lunatus lunatus) is the southern, nominate subspecies of Damaliscus lunatus, although some authorities have recognised it as an independent species. It is most closely related to the Bangweulu tsessebe, sometimes also seen as a separate species, less to the topi, korrigum, coastal topi and tiang subspecies of D. lunatus, and less to the bontebok in the same genus. Common tsessebe are found in Angola, Zambia, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), and South Africa.
Common tsessebe are among the fastest antelopes in Africa and can run at speeds up to 90 km/h.
Adult tsessebe are 150 to 230 cm in length They are quite large animals, with males weighing 137 kg and females weighing 120 kg, on average. Their horns range from 37 cm for females to 40 cm for males. For males, horn size plays an important role in territory defense and mate attraction, although horn size is not positively correlated with territorial factors of mate selection. Their bodies are chestnut brown. The fronts of their faces and their tail tufts are black; the forelimbs and thigh are greyish or bluish-black. Their hindlimbs are brownish-yellow to yellow and their bellies are white. In the wild, tsessebe usually live a maximum of 15 years, but in some areas, their average lifespan is drastically decreased due to overhunting and the destruction of habitat.
The most significant difference between the tsessebe, the southernmost subspecies, and the other topi subspecies is the incline of the horns, with the tsessebe having horns which are placed further apart from each other as one moves distally. This has the effect of the space between them having a more lunate profile when seen from a certain angle, as opposed to lyrate, more like that of a hartebeest. Tsessebe populations show variation as one moves from South Africa to Botswana, with southerly populations having on average the lightest pelage colour, smallest size and the least robust horns. Common tsessebe do not differ significantly from the Bangweulu tsessebe, the northernmost population, but in general the populations from that part of Zambia are on average the darkest-coloured and have the most robust horns, although differences are slight and individuals in both populations show variation in these characteristics which almost completely overlap each other.
Tsessebe are social animals. Females form herds composed of six to 10, with their young. After males turn one year of age, they are ejected from the herd and form bachelor herds that can be as large as 30 young bulls. Territorial adult bulls form herds the same size as young bulls, although the formation of adult bull herds is mainly seen in the formation of a lek. Tsessebe declare their territory through a variety of behaviors. Territorial behavior includes moving in an erect posture, high-stepping, defecating in a crouch stance, ground-horning, mud packing, shoulder-wiping, and grunting.
20-4-2018 OKAVANGO DELTA, BOTSWANA - AFRICAN LION (FEMALE) (Panthera leo)
The lion (Panthera leo) is a large cat of the genus Panthera, native to Africa and India. It has a muscular, broad-chested body; a short, rounded head; round ears; and a dark, hairy tuft at the tip of its tail. It is sexually dimorphic; adult male lions are larger than females and have a prominent mane. It is a social species, forming groups called prides. A lion's pride consists of a few adult males, related females, and cubs. Groups of female lions usually hunt together, preying mostly on medium-sized and large ungulates. The lion is an apex and keystone predator.
The lion inhabits grasslands, savannahs, and shrublands. It is usually more diurnal than other wild cats, but when persecuted, it adapts to being active at night and at twilight. During the Neolithic period, the lion ranged throughout Africa and Eurasia, from Southeast Europe to India, but it has been reduced to fragmented populations in sub-Saharan Africa and one population in western India. It has been listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List since 1996 because populations in African countries have declined by about 43% since the early 1990s. Lion populations are untenable outside designated protected areas. Although the cause of the decline is not fully understood, habitat loss and conflicts with humans are the greatest causes for concern.
One of the most widely recognised animal symbols in human culture, the lion has been extensively depicted in sculptures and paintings, on national flags, and in literature and films. Lions have been kept in menageries since the time of the Roman Empire and have been a key species sought for exhibition in zoological gardens across the world since the late 18th century. Cultural depictions of lions have occurred worldwide, particularly has a symbol of power and royalty.
Among felids, the lion is second only to the tiger in size. The size and weight of adult lions vary across its range and habitats.
Saturday, 26 May 2018
1-4-2018 EDEN PLETTENBERG BAY, SOUTH AFRICA - LESSER JARDINE PARROT (Poicephalus gulielmi) COURTESY OF MRS VALERIE FISHER
The red-fronted parrot (Poicephalus gulielmi), also known as Jardine's parrot, is a medium-sized mainly green parrot distributed across wide areas of Africa. It has three subspecies. The extent and shade of the red or orange plumage on its head, thighs, and bend of wings vary depending on the subspecies.
They are popular as pets, partly because of their ability to mimic speech and copy sounds. Trapping of wild birds for the pet trade is a potential threat to wild populations; however, they are protected by CITES (appendix II) making the trade, import and export of all wild-caught parrots illegal.
The red-fronted parrot nests in tree cavities. The eggs are white and there are usually three or four in a clutch. The female incubates the eggs for about 27 days and the chicks leave the nest about 80 days after hatching.
They fly swiftly making noisy calls above the forest in pairs or small groups between their night-time roosts and feeding grounds. They feed quietly in the upper canopy of trees, where they are well camouflaged.
Usually called Jardine's parrots, the red-fronted parrot is becoming an increasingly popular pet, owing to increased availability and a growing following. They are particularly playful, intelligent, and affectionate. Some speak very clearly, and imitate other birds expertly. Their size, temperament, and voice makes them good candidates for apartment dwellers, though they can give a shrill call. Captive bred birds have an endearing nature, bonding well, usually imperceptibly or only slightly favouring one member of the family more than others. They are not as "needy" as some companion species and so long as they are occupied, can be left alone for longer periods without emotional stress (allowing the owners to work for example).
The wild red-fronted parrot population in Africa is difficult to estimate, because of its vast range. They are potentially threatened by trapping of wild parrots for the pet trade; They are listed on appendix II of The Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), along with almost all other parrot species. This has made the trade, import and export of all wild caught parrots illegal.
Friday, 25 May 2018
1-4-2018 EDEN PLETTENBERG BAY, SOUTH AFRICA - HARTLAUB'S TURACO (Tauraco hartlaubi)
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Hartlaub's turaco (Tauraco hartlaubi ) is a species of bird in the family Musophagidae. It is found in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
The common name and Latin binomial commemorate the German physician and ornithologist Gustav Hartlaub.
A beautiful green turaco with dark blue wings, tail, and crown. Note the white markings on the head: a white spot in front of the eye and a white line below the eye. Like all turacos, shows large crimson wing patches in flight. Found in montane forests, lush woodlands, and gardens. Acts like a typical turaco, bouncing through the trees and flying occasionally with short bursts of wingbeats and long glides. Similar overall to other turacos, but separated from most by the dark blue crown, and from Purple-crested Turaco by the white facial markings. Call is a gruff, accelerating series of “kow” notes.
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Distribution is Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda.
Diet is Fruits and berries (some of which are extremely poisonous to humans) sometimes caterpillars, moths and beetles.
Habitat: Montane evergreen forest , well-timbered suburban gardens
Incubation: 16-18 days, 1-2 eggs
Social structure: forage in groups of up to 20 birds, monogamous pairs during breeding season
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Weight: max 270g, Dimensions: max 43 cm
Estimated population in the wild: Unknown, fairly common.
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Threats: There are no major threats for this species.
Their vivid plumage is a product of two unique copper pigments, unknown in any other bird family, or in any other animal group.
Turacos are poor flyers but are expert climbers, skipping nimbly from branch to branch, and moving from tree to tree by gliding or with a few fast wing beats.
1-4-2018 EDEN PLETTENBERG BAY, SOUTH AFRICA - DOUBLE TOOTHED BARBET (Lybius bidentatus)
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The double-toothed barbet is a species of bird in the family Lybiidae. It is found in Angola, Benin, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, and Uganda. Within Lybius bidentatus, there are two subspecies: Lybius bidentatus bidentatus and Lybius bidentatus aequatorialis.
Lybius bidentatus eats fruits and insects. They search in the foliage for food, usually staying below ten meters. Of insects, they eat beetles, termites, ants, and Hemiptera, which they find in the tree bark or in clusters of leaves. Often a double-toothed barbet will capture winged ants or termites while in flight. They also eat fruits: figs, papayas, avocados, and the fruits of the umbrella tree Musanga and of Solanum. Double-toothed barbets will eat the seeds of some fruits.
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These barbets can be found in pairs or small family groups with helpers; lone double-toothed barbets are rare. Their territories are large.
Double-toothed barbets roost communally, as all the barbets in a group roost in the same hole. Nests are made by excavating a tree, often rotting, at above two meters. Both barbets in a pair will dig out the nesting hole, and both will defend it. The entrance the nest is circular, five or more centimeters across. Some nests have an entrance tunnel. At maximum, a nest is 46 centimeters deep.
1-4-2018 EDEN PLETTENBERG BAY, SOUTH AFRICA - RED AND GREEN MACAW (Ara chloropterus)
The red-and-green macaw (Ara chloropterus), also known as the green-winged macaw, is a large, mostly-red macaw of the genus Ara. It is popular in aviculture, and is the second most commonly kept macaw species after the Blue and Yellow. However, they are not as common in captivity as the Blue-and-yellow macaw, and are much more expensive; prices are often double that of the blue and gold.
This is the largest of the genus Ara, widespread in the forests and woodlands of northern and central South America. However, in common with other macaws, in recent years there has been a marked decline in its numbers due to habitat loss and illegal capture for the parrot trade.
The green-winged macaw generally mates for life. The female typically lays two or three eggs in a nest made in a hole in a tree. The female incubates the eggs for about 28 days, and the chicks fledge from the nest about 90 days after hatching.
The green-winged macaw can be readily distinguished from the scarlet macaw. While the breast of both birds are bright red, the upper-wing covert feathers of the green-winged macaw is mostly green (as opposed to mostly yellow, or a strong mix of yellow and green in the scarlet macaw). In addition, the green-winged macaw has characteristic red lines around the eyes formed by rows of tiny feathers on the otherwise bare white skin patch; this is one of the biggest differences from a scarlet macaw to the casual viewer. Iridescent teal feathers are surrounded by red on the tail. If seen together, the green-winged macaw is clearly larger than the scarlet macaw as well.
Since 1999 a population has appeared on Trinidad. Although these might have escaped from captivity, it is also possible they have a wild origin and represent an expansion of the species' range.
1-4-2018 EDEN PLETTENBERG BAY, SOUTH AFRICA - CAPE WEAVER (Ploceus capensis)
The Cape weaver, Ploceus capensis, is a robust bird, measuring 17 cm in
This bird is endemic to the southern reaches of Africa, specifically South Africa, Lesotho, and Eswatini. Its range extends from the Northern Cape's Orange River, southward to the Cape of Good Hope, and eastward to northern KwaZulu Natal, almost reaching Bloemfontein in the Free State.
Outside of the breeding season, Cape weavers form flocks and congregate in large communal roosts, which may be shared with other avian species. They exhibit anting behaviour and are known to bathe even during rainfall or mist.
A polygynous species, the Cape weaver male may court up to seven females in a single season. Males construct multiple nests within their territories, which they defend with vigour. Females inspect the nests' craftsmanship before mating. The nests, kidney-shaped and waterproof, are woven from broad grass or reed strips. The female lines the interior with fine grass and feathers once she accepts a nest. Clutches typically consist of 2-5 eggs, with the female incubating them for approximately two weeks. Chicks fledge at about 17 days old. The species is known to be parasitized by the diederik cuckoo and may suffer from mite and tick infestations.
The Cape weaver is omnivorous, consuming equal parts animal and plant matter, including seeds, fruit, nectar, insects, and spiders. It employs various foraging techniques, from ground feeding to hawking insects mid-air. The species plays a significant role as a pollinator of aloes in South Africa.
The Cape weaver's song is a distinctive, somewhat strident sizzle. Its alarm call is a sharp, clipped double note, and for general communication, it emits a harsh "azwit".
The Cape weaver is classified as Least Concern, with populations that are common and widespread. However, in some agricultural areas, they can become pests and are sometimes culled in large numbers.
15-4-2018 CHOBE RIVER, NAMIBIA - WHITE WINGED TERN (Chlidonias leucopterus)
The White-winged Tern, known scientifically as Chlidonias leucopterus, is a diminutive member of the tern family Laridae. This species is adorned with a distinctive plumage that varies with the seasons. In the summer, adults boast a striking contrast of black and white, with a black neck and belly, and a white rump and tail. Their wings are predominantly white, living up to their name, with a grayish inner wing and brown-tipped coverts. The legs are short and red, and the bill is equally short and black. Come winter, their attire changes to a more subdued white or pale grey, with a black head marked by a white forehead and flecked crown.
To identify the White-winged Tern, look for the characteristic white wings and rump, which contrast with the dark mantle. The bird's face has a yellowish tinge, and the tail often appears 'square' in juveniles. The bill is notably shorter than the head, and the legs are short and red. In non-breeding plumage, the black is largely replaced by white or pale grey, with a dark triangular patch before the eye and a broad white collar.
The White-winged Tern favors freshwater marshes for breeding, where it nests on floating vegetation or very close to the water's edge.
This species has a broad range, spanning from southeast Europe to Central Asia and the Russian Far East. It migrates to Africa, southern Asia, and Australia for the winter months and is an occasional vagrant in North America.
The White-winged Tern does not dive for fish like some of its relatives but instead picks food items off the water's surface and catches insects mid-flight. Its wing-beats are leisurely and shallow when in flight.
1-4-2018 EDEN PLETTENBERG BAY, SOUTH AFRICA - AFRICAN BARBET (Lybius torquatus ssp lucidiventris)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_barbet
They are mainly solitary birds, eating insects and fruit. Figs and numerous other species of fruiting tree and bush are visited. An individual barbet may feed on as many as 60 different species in its range. They will also visit plantations and take cultivated fruit and vegetables. Fruit is eaten whole and indigestible material such as seed pits regurgitated later (often before singing). Regurgitation does not usually happen in the nest (as happens with toucans), although tinkerbirds do place sticky mistletoe seeds around the entrances of their nests, possibly to deter predators. Like other barbets, they are thought to be important agents in seed dispersal in tropical forests.
As well as taking fruit, African barbets also take arthropod prey, gleaned from the branches and trunks of trees. A wide range of insects are taken, including ants, cicadas, dragonflies, crickets, locusts, beetles, moths and mantids. Scorpions and centipedes are also taken, and a few species will take small vertebrates such as lizards, frogs and geckos.
Thursday, 24 May 2018
1-4-2018 EDEN PLETTENBERG BAY, SOUTH AFRICA - CAPE OLIVE THRUSH (Turdus olivaceus ssp. olivaceus)
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The olive thrush is, in its range, one of the most common members of the thrush family (Turdidae). It occurs in African highlands from southern Malawi and Mozambique in the north to the Cape of Good Hope in the south. It is a bird of forest and woodland, but has locally adapted to parks and large gardens in suburban areas.
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Inhabits Montane forests and coastal forests and scrub. Has adapted well to suburbia.
Found along the eastern part of the Eastern Cape.
Its diet includes Insects and earthworms. Eats fruit in the winter when insects are scarce.
Feeds on the ground, turning over fallen leaves. Tends to keep to cover more than Karoo Thrush, venturing out into the open less often. Sings from perch in tree canopy.
Cape Thushes are Monogamous. Builds a bulky nest on the fork of a tree just below the canopy.
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