Friday, 13 April 2018
5-4-2018 PHINDA FOREST LODGE, SOUTH AFRICA - NYALA (FEMALE) (Tragelaphus angusii)
The nyala (Tragelaphus angasii) is a spiral-horned antelope native to southern Africa. It was first described in 1849 by George French Angas. They are very shy cautious creatures. They inhabit thickets within dense and dry savanna woodlands and forage during the daylight hours. The main predators of the nyala are lion, leopard, and Cape hunting dog, while baboons and raptorial birds prey on juveniles.
The coat of the nyala is rusty or rufous brown in females and juveniles. It grows a dark brown or slate grey in adult males, often with a bluish tinge. Females and young males have ten or more white vertical stripes on their sides. Other markings are visible on the face, throat, flanks, and thighs. Stripes are very reduced or absent in older males. Both males and females have a white chevron between their eyes and a bushy tail white underside. Both sexes have a dorsal crest of hair running right from the back of the head to the end of the tail. Males have another line of hair along the midline of their chest and belly. Only the males have horns. Horns are 60-83 cm (24-33 in) long and yellow-tipped. There are one or two twists. The spoor is similar to that of the bushbuck, but larger. It is 5-6 cm (2-2.4 in) long. The nyala has hairy glands on its feet, which leave their scent wherever it walks.
8-4-2018 THORNYBUSH LODGE, SOUTH AFRICA - LEVAILLANT'S CUCKOO (Clamator levaillantii)
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The Levaillant's cuckoo, a bird named in honor of the French explorer and ornithologist François Le Vaillant, is a striking species with a length of approximately 37.5 cm. This bird is characterized by a longer tail than its relative, the pied cuckoo, and a throat adorned with more pronounced streaking.
Observers should note the two distinct color morphs of Levaillant's cuckoo. The light morph boasts a black plumage with a subtle bluish or greenish gloss, while the throat streaking may extend onto the sides. The primaries and rectrix tips are white. In contrast, the dark morph is predominantly black, save for the white primary patch and white spots on the outer tail feathers. Juveniles present with a brown upper body, rufous wing-coverts, and rectrix tips, along with a buff forehead, face, and underparts, and more heavily streaked throat.
Levaillant's cuckoo favors bushy environments within its African range.
This cuckoo is a resident breeding species throughout Africa, south of the Sahara.
A master of deception, Levaillant's cuckoo engages in brood parasitism, laying its eggs in the nests of bulbuls and babblers. Both male and female engage in acrobatic flights to distract the host birds, with the male continuing the distraction while the female lays her egg. Notably, the cuckoo chick does not expel other eggs or nestlings from the nest and leaves it after about ten days, reaching independence in four to six weeks.
8-4-2018 THORNYBUSH LODGE, SOUTH AFRICA - AFRICAN STRIPED SKINK (Trachylepis striata)
The African striped skink (Trachylepis striata), commonly called the striped skink, is a species of lizard in the skink family (Scincidae). The species is widespread in East Africa and Southern Africa. It is not a close relation to the Australian striped skink, Ctenotus taeniolatus.
T. striata is brown or bronze-coloured with two yellowish stripes that run lengthwise on either side of the spine. Both sexes grow to a total length (including tail) of 25 cm (9.8 in). Their tails are often missing due to predators.
The African striped skink (Trachylepis striata), or simply the striped skink, is a common species of skink found widely across sub-Saharan Africa. It typically has a sleek, streamlined body with distinctive striping along its sides, which differentiates it from similar species. The coloration and pattern can vary, but generally, it features a combination of brown, grey, and olive tones.
The African striped skink (Trachylepis striata), or simply the striped skink, is a common species of skink found widely across sub-Saharan Africa. It typically has a sleek, streamlined body with distinctive striping along its sides, which differentiates it from similar species. The coloration and pattern can vary, but generally, it features a combination of brown, grey, and olive tones.
The African striped skink is known for its adaptability to various habitats, ranging from woodlands and savannas to human-altered environments. It primarily feeds on insects and other small invertebrates. It is known for its agility and quick movements, which aid in both foraging for food and evading predators.
The African striped skink usually breeds in the warmer months. They are oviparous, laying eggs which hatch after an incubation period. Details on the exact duration of incubation and specific breeding behaviors are not yet known.
The population of African striped skink is unknown, but it has a wide range and it is common. It is listed as least concern on the IUCN Red List.
12-4-2018 VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE - ZULU GIANT (Stapelia gigantea)
tapelia gigantea is a species of flowering plant in the genus Stapelia of the family Apocynaceae. Common names include Zulu giant, carrion plant and toad plant (although the nickname "carrion plant" can also refer to Stapelia grandiflora). The plant is native to the desert regions of South Africa to Tanzania.
Growing up to 20 cm (8 in) tall, it is a clump-forming succulent with erect green stems 3 cm (1.2 in) thick. The blooms are large star-shaped five-petalled flowers up to 25 cm (9.8 in) in diameter. The flowers are red and yellow, wrinkled, with a silky texture and fringed with hairs, that can be as long as 8 mm (0.3 in). They bloom in autumn, triggered by the shorter daylight hours.
The flowers have the smell of rotting flesh, in order to attract the flies which pollinate them. Scent compounds of carrion flowers responsible for their odour include diamines (putrescine and cadaverine), sulfur compounds and various phenolic molecules. Because of the foul odor of its flower, S. gigantea can act as an appetite suppressant in humans.
There have been several proposed reasons for the size of the flowers of S. gigantea. First, it is possible that they are large to attract the flies that pollinate them. The large size and color of the flowers combined with the carrion smell may cause the flies to behave as if it is a dead carcass and be more likely to visit it.
Thursday, 12 April 2018
8-4-2018 THORNYBUSH LODGE, SOUTH AFRICA - GRAYFOOT CHACMA BABOON (Papio ursinus ssp. griseipes)
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.
11-4-2018 VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE - WHITE BACKED VULTURE (Gyps africanus)
The White-backed Vulture (Gyps africanus) is a medium-sized vulture, characterized by down feathers on the head and neck, broad wings, and short tail feathers. It boasts a distinctive white neck ruff, with adults displaying a whitish back that contrasts starkly with the rest of their dark plumage. Juveniles present a more uniform dark appearance. This species typically weighs between 4.2 to 7.2 kg, measures 78 to 98 cm in length, and spans a wingspan of 1.96 to 2.25 m.
To identify the white-backed vulture, look for its white neck ruff and the contrasting white back against dark plumage in adults. Juveniles are darker overall. The species has a relatively short tail and broad wings suited for soaring.
The white-backed vulture is found in a variety of habitats across Africa, from the Sahel region to the savannahs of the south. It prefers wooded savannahs where it can find large trees suitable for nesting.
This vulture is widespread across Africa, from Senegal and Gambia in the west, through Ethiopia and Somalia in the east, and down to Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa in the south.
White-backed vultures are social creatures, often seen circling the skies in search of carrion. They feed in groups and are typically among the first vultures to arrive at a carcass, asserting dominance over other species. After gorging themselves, they may rest with wings spread to bask in the sun.
White-backed vultures nest in trees, showing a preference for tall species such as Acacias. Their nests are large, constructed with sticks, and lined with leaves and grasses. The breeding cycle is lengthy, with an incubation period of around 8 weeks and a nestling period of 4-5 months.
The White-backed Vulture can be eaily conused with the Cape Vulture.
Obligate scavengers, white-backed vultures feed primarily on the carcasses of large grazing animals. They are limited to softer tissues due to their medium-sized beaks, which are not adapted for tearing through tough skin.
The white-backed vulture is currently listed as Critically Endangered. It has suffered rapid population declines due to habitat loss, anthropogenic disturbances, poisoning, and collisions with power lines. Conservation efforts are critical for the survival of this species.
This large scavenger is vital to its ecosystem. It only feeds on carrion—the carcasses of dead animals—and, by eating flesh before it rots, the vulture prevents dangerous bacteria and viruses from growing on decomposing carcasses. Its stomach acids also neutralize pathogens, which limits the risk of spreading diseases to humans and other animals. By picking carcasses clean so quickly, vultures also suppress insect populations that are linked with eye diseases.
12-4-2018 VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE - YELLOW BELLIED GREENBUL (Chlorocichla flaviventris)
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The Yellow-bellied Greenbul, with its scientific name Chlorocichla flaviventris, is a charming songbird belonging to the bulbul family, Pycnonotidae. This species exhibits a delightful contrast of colors with its yellow underparts and greenish upper body, making it a visual treat for birdwatchers.
When trying to identify the Yellow-bellied Greenbul, look for its distinctive yellow belly which gives this bird its name. The greenish hue of its feathers blends seamlessly with the foliage, providing excellent camouflage in its natural habitat.
The Yellow-bellied Greenbul thrives in a variety of environments, including subtropical or tropical dry forests, moist lowland forests, and the dry savanna. These diverse habitats provide the bird with ample opportunities for foraging and nesting.
This species is widely distributed across eastern, southern, and west-central Africa. Its presence is a testament to the adaptability of the species across a range of African landscapes.
Observing the Yellow-bellied Greenbul in its natural setting, one might note its active foraging behavior and the agility with which it moves through the understory, a behavior typical of many bulbul species.
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The vocalizations of the Yellow-bellied Greenbul are characteristic of its family, contributing to the rich tapestry of sounds that one might experience in the African forests and savannas.
Information on the breeding habits of the Yellow-bellied Greenbul is essential for understanding its life cycle and ensuring the protection of its nesting sites.
The Yellow-bellied Greenbul may be confused with other bulbuls, but its unique coloration and distribution help to distinguish it from its relatives. Careful observation and familiarity with its characteristics can aid in proper identification.
The diet of the Yellow-bellied Greenbul is not specified, but as with many bulbuls, it likely includes a variety of insects and fruits, which are abundant in its habitats.
The IUCN Red List classifies the Yellow-bellied Greenbul as Least Concern, indicating that, for now, this species does not face immediate threats to its survival. However, continued monitoring is essential to ensure that it remains a thriving member of the avian community.
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