Tuesday, 24 April 2018
22-4-2018 OKAVANGO DELTA, BOTSWANA - MONARD'S DROPWING DRAGONFLY (MALE) (Trithemis monardi)
Trithemis monardi is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. It is found in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical dry shrubland, subtropical or tropical moist shrubland, rivers, swamps, freshwater marshes, and intermittent freshwater marshes.
21-4-2018 OKAVANGO DELTA, BOTSWANA - WAVE MOTH (Genus Problepsis)
Problepsis is a genus of moths in the family Geometridae.
Palpi thick scaled and reaching just beyond the frons. Hindleg of male small, tibia dilated with a fold containing a tuft of long hair, where the first joint of tarsus dilated and large. Forewings with vein 3 from, or from before angle of cell. Vein 5 from somewhat above middle of discocellulars. Veins 7, 8, 9 and 10 stalked from before upper angle, and vein 11 anastomosing (fusing) slightly with them to form the areole. Hindwings from, or from before, angle of cell. Vein 5 from somewhat above middle of discocellulars and vein 6 from before upper angle.
22-4-2018 OKAVANGO DELTA, BOTSWANA - AFRICAN GREEN PIGEON (Treron calvus)
The African green pigeon, Treron calvus, is a charming bird with a predominantly grayish-green to yellowish-green plumage. Adults boast distinctive maroon patches atop their wings, while juveniles display a more olive hue. Their thighs are a striking yellow, and they have red feet and bills, the latter tipped with white, adding a dash of contrast to their colorful appearance.
To identify the African green pigeon, look for its greenish plumage which blends seamlessly with the foliage. The maroon wing patches in adults are a key feature, along with their yellow thighs. The red bill with a white tip is also distinctive. Juveniles may be recognized by their more olive-toned feathers.
These pigeons are arboreal, favoring the canopies of riparian forests, woodlands, and savannas. They are particularly associated with fruiting trees, such as various wild fig species and the ornamental Chinese banyan, which provide their primary food source.
The African green pigeon has a wide range across Sub-Saharan Africa, with around 17 accepted races. Their distribution spans from Angola to South Africa and includes many countries in between, such as Kenya, Nigeria, and Tanzania.
These pigeons exhibit parrot-like climbing abilities, allowing them to deftly maneuver through tree canopies in search of fruit. While they primarily forage above ground, they may occasionally descend to the ground. Their diet includes fruits from trees like the Saffron, Jacket plum, Buffalo thorn, Water berry, and Jackalberry, and they may also consume exotic fruits like Loquats and Mulberries or even carrion on rare occasions.
The call of the African green pigeon is a melodious series of flowing whistles, which can be phonetically rendered as 'thweeeloo, thweeeoo,' adding a musical backdrop to their habitat.
Breeding can occur at any time of the year, though it is most common in the summer months. Nests are constructed in tree forks, providing a good view of the surroundings. The male collects sticks while the female arranges them into a rather flimsy platform. Typically, 1-2 eggs are laid, hatching after 13-14 days, with chicks fledging at about 12 days of age.
Diet and FeedingThe African green pigeon's diet consists mainly of fruits from various indigenous and exotic trees. They have adapted to a life in the trees, rarely needing to forage on the ground.
The IUCN Red List currently classifies the African green pigeon as Least Concern, indicating that, at present, the species does not face any significant threats that would warrant concern for its overall population.
Monday, 23 April 2018
14-4-2018 CHOBE RIVER, NAMIBIA - SOUTHERN RED BISHOP (Euplectes orix)
The Southern Red Bishop (Euplectes orix) is a vibrant, small passerine bird, a member of the weaver family Ploceidae. It is known for its striking sexual dimorphism, with breeding males adorned in a fiery red and black plumage, while females and non-breeding males display a more subdued, streaky brown appearance.
Breeding males are unmistakable with their rich red and black coloration. They have a black face, throat, and belly, with the rest of the body a brilliant red, except for the brown wings and tail. Females and non-breeding males are paler and streaked brown, with the females being slightly smaller in size. The species is characterized by a thick conical bill, ideal for seed consumption.
The Southern Red Bishop thrives in wetlands and grasslands within Africa south of the Equator. It has a preference for areas near water, such as reeds and sedges, and can also be found in agricultural landscapes like sugar cane fields.
This species is widely distributed across the southern and eastern regions of Africa, ranging from South Africa to Angola, and extending to parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, Uganda, Nigeria, and Kenya. It avoids arid zones such as the Namib Desert and Kalahari.
The Southern Red Bishop is a sociable bird, often seen in flocks and nesting in colonies. It is polygynous, with males courting multiple females by constructing several nests and performing elaborate display flights. Its diet consists mainly of seeds, supplemented by insects.
The male's song is a distinctive buzzing sound, while the species also emits various twittering calls and a nasal contact call, facilitating communication within flocks.
During the breeding season, males exhibit their prowess by building multiple nests to attract females and engaging in fluffed-up feather displays. The nests are typically woven among reeds using grasses and other plant materials. Females lay two to four eggs per clutch.
The Northern Red Bishop (Euplectes franciscanus) is similar in appearance but can be distinguished by its red throat and longer tail-coverts in males. The females and non-breeding males of both species are nearly identical.
The Southern Red Bishop feeds predominantly on seeds, with a partiality for grass seeds. It also consumes insects, particularly during the breeding season when additional protein is beneficial.
The IUCN Red List classifies the Southern Red Bishop as Least Concern, indicating a stable population without significant threats to its survival at present.
22-4-2018 OKAVANGO DELTA, BOTSWANA - ANGOLAN REED FROG (Hyperolius parallelus)
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Hyperolius parallelus, also known as the Angolan reed frog (being treated as Hyperolius angolensis by many authors), is a species of frog in the family Hyperoliidae. It is found in Southern and Central Africa. It is part of the so-called Hyperolius viridiflavus species complex and has a complex history of taxonomic treatments.
In samples from Central Africa, adult males measure 30–38 mm (1.2–1.5 in) in snout–vent length. The tympanum is not visible. The head and snout are short. The syntypes were dorsally dark brown with three white, parallel bands; nevertheless, the dorsal pattern is variable.
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Hyperolius parallelus is found in southern Republic of the Congo and Democratic Republic of the Congo, Angola, northern Namibia and Botswana, and western Zambia; the exact limits of its range are not clear and might extend into Gabon and Zimbabwe. It occurs in savanna, grassland and bush land, as well as many human-modified habitats such as cultivated land, towns, and gardens; it is associated in with emergent vegetation at the margins of swamps, rivers and lakes. Reproduction takes place in both temporary and permanent bodies of water and the eggs are laid directly into the water.
This widespread and extremely abundant species is not facing any significant threats; it readily colonizes newly created waterbodies. It probably is present in many protected areas.
18-4-2018 CHOBE NAT PARK, BOTSWANA - AFRICAN VEINED WHITE BUTTERFLY (Belenois gidica ssp. abyssinica)
Belenois gidica, the African veined white or pointed caper, is a butterfly in the family Pieridae. It is found in the Afrotropical realm.
The wingspan is 40–55 millimetres (1.6–2.2 in) in males and 40–53 mm (1.6–2.1 in) in females. Its flight period is year-round.
The larvae feed on Boscia, Capparis, and Maerua species.
17-4-2018 CHOBE RIVER, BOTSWANA - MAINLAND AFRICAN DARTER (Anhinga rufa ssp. rufa)
The African darter (Anhinga rufa ), sometimes called the snakebird, is a water bird of sub-Saharan Africa and Iraq.
The male is mainly glossy black with white streaking, but females and immature birds are browner. The African darter differs in appearance from the American darter most recognisably by its thin white lateral neck stripe against a rufous background colour. The pointed bill should prevent confusion with cormorants.
It is an 80 cm (31 in) long cormorant-like fish-eating species with a very long neck, like other anhingas.
The African darter is found throughout sub-Saharan Africa wherever large bodies of water occur; overall the species remains widespread and common.
The only non-African subspecies, the Levant darter (Anhinga rufa chantrei ), occurred at Lake Amik (Amik Gölü) in south-central Turkey, in Hula valley lake and marshes in northern Israel and in the Mesopotamian Marshes of the lower Euphrat and Tigris rivers in southern Iraq. The Turkish population disappeared during the 1930s and the Israeli population during Hula drainage in the 1950s. In spite of 110 birds being counted in Khuzestan in 1990 alone, the subspecies was feared extinct as a result of oil spillages in southern Iraq during the Gulf War and the drainage of the Mesopotamian Marshes that followed it. However, a small but threatened population was documented in the Hawizeh Marshes in 2007, along with other waters birds like little grebe, pygmy cormorant, marbled teal and sacred ibis. The drainage of the marshes was interrupted and reversed after the Iraq War.
This species builds a stick nest in a tree and lays 3–6 eggs. It often nests with herons, egrets and cormorants.
It often swims with only the neck above water, hence the common name snakebird. This, too, is a habit shared with the other anhingas.
Unlike many other waterbirds the feathers of the African darter do not contain any oil and are therefore not waterproof. Because of this, the bird is less positively buoyant and its diving capabilities are enhanced. After diving for fish, the feathers can become waterlogged. In order to be able to fly and maintain heat insulation, it needs to dry its feathers. Thus the African darter is often seen sitting along the waterside spreading its wings and drying its feathers in the wind and the sun along with cormorants which may share its habitat.
17-4-2018 CHOBE RIVER, BOTSWANA - SOUTHERN GIRAFFE (Giraffa giraffa)
The southern giraffe (Giraffa giraffa), also known as two-horned giraffe,[1] is a species of giraffe native to Southern Africa. However, the IUCN currently recognizes only one species of giraffe with nine subspecies.
Southern giraffes have rounded or blotched spots, some with star-like extensions on a light tan background, running down to the hooves. They range from South Africa, Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique. Their approximate population is composed of 44,500 to 50,000 individuals.
Giraffes as one species are considered Vulnerable to extinction by the IUCN.
Living giraffes were originally classified as one species by Carl Linnaeus in 1758, under the binomial name Cervus camelopardalis. Morten Thrane Brünnich classified the genus Giraffa in 1772. Once considered a subspecies of the conglomerate Giraffa camelopardalis species, recent studies proposed the southern giraffe as a separate species of a reorganised genus Giraffa, under the binomial name Giraffa giraffa. However, the taxonomic scheme has been criticized, and currently the IUCN recognizes only one species of giraffe with nine subspecies.
The southern giraffes live in the savannahs and woodlands of northern South Africa, Angola, southern Botswana, southern Zimbabwe, Zambia and south-western Mozambique. After local extinctions in various places, the South African giraffes have been reintroduced in many parts of Southern Africa, including in Eswatini. They are common in both inside and outside of protected areas.
Southern giraffes usually live in savannahs and woodlands where food plants are available. Southern giraffes are herbivorous mammals. They feed on leaves, flowers, fruits and shoots of woody plants such as Acacia.
Southern giraffes are not threatened, as their population is increasing.
Friday, 20 April 2018
20-4-2018 OKAVANGO DELTA, BOTSWANA - BAT EARED FOX (Otocyon megalotis)
The Bat-eared fox (Otocyon megalotis) is a species of fox that lives in the African savanna. Fossil records indicate this canid first appeared during the middle Pleistocene. It is named for its large ears, which have a role in thermoregulation. The bat referred to in its colloquial name is possibly the Egyptian slit-faced bat, which is abundant in the region and has very large ears.
Generally, the pelage of the Bat-eared fox is tan-colored, with gray agouti guard hairs, giving its grizzled appearance, appearing more buff on the sides. The undersides and throat are pale. The limbs are dark, shading to dark brown or black at their extremities. The muzzle, the tip and upperside of the tail, and the facial mask are black. The insides of the ears are white. Individuals of the East African subspecies, O. m. virgatus, tend toward a buff pelage with dark brown markings, as opposed to the black of O. m. megalotis. Proportionally large ears of Bat-eared foxes, a characteristic shared by many other inhabitants of hot, arid climates, help to distribute heat. They also help in locating prey.
There are 2 subspecies of the Bat-eared fox in Africa. One is in the eastern part of Africa, stretching from Tanzania to southern Sudan and Ethiopia. The other subspecies is found in the southern part of Africa from Cape Peninsula and Cape Agulhas in South Africa to Angola and Zambia, reaching Mozambique and Zimbabwe. Bat-eared foxes are adapted to arid or semi-arid environments. They live in short grasslands, as well as the more arid regions of the savannas, along woodland edges, and in open acacia woodlands. They tend to hunt in short grass and low shrub habitats but will sometimes venture into areas with tall grasses and thick shrubs to hide when threatened.
Thursday, 19 April 2018
Wednesday, 18 April 2018
18-4-2018 OKAVANGO DELTA, BOTSWANA - KORI BUSTARD (Ardeotis kori)
The kori bustard (Ardeotis kori) stands as the largest flying bird native to Africa, a member of the bustard family Otididae. Males are particularly hefty, possibly the heaviest living animal capable of flight. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism, with males significantly outweighing females. Their plumage is cryptically colored, blending into their savanna habitats with a mottled pattern of grey, brown, black, and white.
Adult kori bustards are distinguished by their large size, heavy build, and a distinctive black crest on their heads. Their eyes are ringed with white, and they possess a black collar at the base of the hind-neck that extends onto the sides of the breast. The legs are long and yellowish, and the bill is light greenish horn-colored. Juveniles resemble females but are browner with more spotting on the mantle.
Kori bustards favor open grassy areas with sandy soil, short grass, and occasional trees or bushes for cover. They are found in plains, arid plateaus, grasslands, lightly wooded savannas, and semi-deserts, avoiding densely wooded areas.
This species is widespread across southern Africa, with populations extending from Botswana and Namibia to South Africa, Mozambique, and parts of East Africa, including Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania.
Kori bustards are primarily terrestrial, spending much of their time foraging on foot. They exhibit cautious behavior, often fleeing on foot before resorting to flight. They are known for their slow, deliberate walk and can be solitary or found in groups, especially around abundant food sources.
The kori bustard is generally quiet but can produce a deep, booming mating call, a loud growling bark when alarmed, and a snapping bill sound during close encounters.
Breeding is influenced by rainfall, with males engaging in lek mating, displaying at regular sites to attract females. Females lay eggs on the ground in shallow hollows, often near trees or shrubs, and raise the young without male assistance.
The kori bustard can be confused with other large bustards like Denham's and Ludwig's bustards but can be differentiated by its greyer appearance and lack of white upperwing markings in flight.
An opportunistic omnivore, the kori bustard's diet includes insects, small vertebrates, and plant material. They forage by walking slowly and picking at the ground, often following herds of ungulates to catch prey disturbed by their movement.
The kori bustard is classified as Near Threatened due to habitat destruction, hunting, and collisions with power lines. While they can be locally common in protected areas, their populations are generally scarce outside these regions.
Monday, 16 April 2018
15-4-2018 CHOBE RIVER, NAMIBIA - BROWN HOODED KINGFISHER (Halcyon albiventris)
The Brown-hooded Kingfisher, Halcyon albiventris, presents a striking figure with its rich brown head adorned with blackish streaks. This bird, approximately 22 cm in length, boasts a broad buffy collar that sits above a brownish-black mantle. Its wing coverts are primarily brownish-black, while the secondary flight feathers exhibit a vibrant turquoise. The rump is a brilliant azure-blue, creating a stark contrast with the white chin and tawny breast, which is marked with dark streaks. The belly is a soft buffy color. A red beak tipped with brown, carmine legs, and dark brown eyes complete the bird's vivid palette. Sexual dimorphism is evident, with the female displaying darker upperparts and more streaked underparts than the male. Juveniles are duller with scalloped whitish underparts.
When identifying the Brown-hooded Kingfisher, look for the distinctive brown head with blackish streaks and the broad buffy collar. The turquoise secondary flight feathers and azure-blue rump are also key features. The red beak with a brown tip and carmine legs are notable, as is the bird's size, which is around 22 cm long. Females and juveniles have their own distinguishing characteristics, with females being darker and juveniles appearing duller with scalloped underparts.
This kingfisher inhabits a variety of environments, including woodlands, grasslands with trees, scrublands, and forest edges. It is also comfortable in cultivated areas, parks, and gardens, and can adapt to suburban settings. While sometimes found near water, it is not strictly tied to aquatic habitats.
The Brown-hooded Kingfisher is a resident of Sub-Saharan Africa, with its range extending from Gabon and Congo to South Africa and Eswatini. It is typically found at elevations below 1,800 meters.
This solitary or sometimes paired bird is known for its ground foraging habits. It has a diverse diet that includes insects, scorpions, reptiles, small birds, rodents, and fish. Remarkably, it has been observed consuming snakes and lizards up to 25 cm in length. Its breeding season spans from September to April, during which it nests in burrows along river banks or in gullies. Post-breeding, the family unit remains together for several weeks.
The Brown-hooded Kingfisher's vocal repertoire includes a song that sounds like a "tiiiu" or a "ki-ti-ti-ti" trill, often accompanied by wing vibrations. When alarmed, it emits a sharp "cheerit."
Breeding occurs mainly between September and April. The kingfisher digs a burrow nest in a river bank, gully, or road cutting, where it raises its young. After the breeding season, the family stays together for a few weeks.
The Brown-hooded Kingfisher feeds on a variety of prey, including insects, scorpions, reptiles, small birds, rodents, and fish. It is an adept hunter, capable of taking on prey such as snakes and lizards up to 25 cm long.
The IUCN has classified the Brown-hooded Kingfisher as a species of Least Concern, thanks to its large range, stable population, and lack of significant threats.
Sunday, 15 April 2018
15-4-2018 CHOBE NATIONAL PARK, BOTSWANA - LILAC BREASTED ROLLER (Coracias caudatus) COURTESY OF MRS VALERIE FISHER
The lilac-breasted roller (Coracias caudatus) is a member of the roller family, Coraciidae, resplendent in a panoply of pastel hues. This African bird is a sight to behold, with its lilac throat and breast, olive crown to mantle, and cheeks of lilac-rufous. The species is further adorned with long, black tail streamers, which juveniles lack. Unofficially, it is considered the national bird of Kenya.
The lilac-breasted roller (Coracias caudatus) is an African bird of the roller family, Coraciidae. It is widely distributed in Southern and Eastern Africa, and is a vagrant to the southern Arabian Peninsula.[1] It prefers open woodland and savanna, and it is for the most part absent from treeless places. Usually found alone or in pairs, it perches at the tops of trees, poles or other high vantage points from where it can spot insects, amphibians and small birds moving about on the ground.
Nesting takes place in a natural hole in a tree where a clutch of 2–4 eggs are laid, and incubated by both parents, who are extremely aggressive in defence of their nest, taking on raptors and other birds. During the breeding season the male will rise to a fair height (69 to 144 metres), descending in swoops and dives, while uttering harsh, discordant cries. The sexes do not differ in coloration, and juveniles lack the long tail streamers of adults.
Alternative names for the lilac-breasted roller include the fork-tailed roller, lilac-throated roller (also used for a subspecies of purple roller) and Mosilikatze's roller.
In the field, the lilac-breasted roller is almost unmistakable. Adults boast a lilac throat that deepens into a darker lilac breast, with an olive crown and mantle. The cheeks and ear coverts are a lilac-rufous. Juveniles and immatures can be identified by their lack of tail streamers and a throat and breast of rufous-tawny with broad diffuse buffy-white streaks. The species is not sexually dimorphic, though males may be slightly larger.
The lilac-breasted roller favors open woodland and savanna, typically avoiding treeless expanses. They are often seen perched high, surveying the landscape for prey.
Friday, 13 April 2018
13-4-2018 CHOBE RIVER, NAMIBIA - WIRE TAILED SWALLOW (Hirundo smithii)
The wire-tailed swallow (Hirundo smithii) is a small passerine bird in the swallow family. It has two subspecies: H. s. smithii, which occurs throughout Africa, and H. s. filifera, which is found in southern and southeastern Asia. It is mainly resident, but populations in Pakistan and northern India migrate further south in winter. The genus name Hirundo is the Latin word for swallow. The species name smithii commemorates Christen Smith, a Norwegian botanist and geologist.
The wire-tailed swallow, Hirundo smithii, is a diminutive and agile passerine, a member of the swallow family. It is adorned with a lustrous blue plumage on its upperparts and a stark white on the underparts. A chestnut cap crowns its head, adding a touch of warmth to its appearance. The species is particularly noted for its elongated outermost tail feathers, reminiscent of fine wires trailing in flight. These distinctive "wires" are more pronounced in males than in females.
The wire-tailed swallow is a small swallow, measuring 18 cm (7.1 in) in length. It has bright blue upperparts, bright white underparts and a chestnut cap. Immature birds lack tail wires, and have dull brown (rather than chestnut) caps. The species is named for the very long filamentous outermost tail feathers, which trail behind like two wires. The sexes are similar in appearance, but the female has shorter "wires". Juveniles have a brown crown, back and tail. The Asian form, H. s. filifera, is larger and longer-tailed than the abundant African H. s. smithii.
This bird is found in open country near water and human habitation. Wire-tailed swallows are fast flyers and they generally feed on insects, especially flies, while airborne. They are typically seen low over water, with which they are more closely associated than most swallows.
The neat half-bowl nests are lined with mud collected in the swallows' beaks. They are placed on vertical surfaces near water under cliff ledges or nowadays more commonly on man-made structures such as buildings and bridges. The clutch is three to four eggs in Africa, up to five in Asia (Turner and Rose). These birds are solitary and territorial nesters, unlike many swallows, which tend to be colonial.
The wire-tailed swallow has a wide range that includes Africa and southern to southeastern Asia. The African subspecies, H. s. smithii, is resident across the continent, while the Asian subspecies, H. s. filifera, is found from India to Southeast Asia. In some regions, such as Pakistan and northern India, these birds migrate southward during the winter months.
Renowned for their swift and agile flight, wire-tailed swallows are often seen flying low over water surfaces. They are solitary and territorial when it comes to nesting, which is a departure from the more common colonial nesting habits of many swallows.
The vocalizations of the wire-tailed swallow consist of a series of chirps and trills, a common characteristic of swallow communication.
The species constructs neat half-bowl nests, meticulously lined with mud collected in their beaks. These nests are typically affixed to vertical surfaces near water, such as under cliff ledges, and increasingly on man-made structures like buildings and bridges. Clutch sizes vary from three to four eggs in Africa to up to five in Asia.
These birds are insectivorous, feeding predominantly on flies which they catch mid-flight. Their feeding grounds are usually close to water, where insect prey is abundant.
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