Category Archives: Birds

Crimson-breasted Shrike (Laniarius atrococcineus)

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The Crimson-breasted Shrike (Laniarius atrococcineus) or the Crimson-breasted Gonolek, (‘gonolek’ – supposedly imitative of its call), is a southern African bird. The species is closely related to two other bushshrikes, the yellow-crowned gonolek (Laniarius barbarus) and the black-headed gonolek (Laniarius erythrogaster) of East Africa.

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The Crimson-breasted Shrike occurs in a broad swathe from southern Angola to the Free State province in South Africa. Its preferred habitat is drier thornbush areas, in thickets and riparian scrub. It makes small seasonal migrations, preferring lower altitudes during cold periods.  The brilliant flash of crimson gave this little guy away in Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.

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LEARN MORE ABOUT CRIMSON-BREASTED SHRIKES

Wikipedia

Birdlife

Biodiversity Explorer

VIDEOS

This guy really wants to eat that grasshopper!

An even braver bird takes on a scorpion!

 

Sociable Weaver (Philetairus socius)

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The Sociable Weaver (Philetairus socius), also commonly known as the common social weaver, common social-weaver, and social weaver,  is a species of bird in the Passeridae family endemic to Southern Africa.  It is monotypic within the genus Philetairus.  They build large compound community nests, a rarity among birds. These nests are perhaps the most spectacular structure built by any bird.

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It is found in South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana but their range is centered within the Northern Cape Province of South Africa.  They are literally everywhere in Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.  Be careful when you are driving as they love to dart across roads in front of cars – some kind of strange kamikaze game maybe?

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LEARN MORE ABOUT SOCIABLE WEAVERS

Wikipedia

Birdlife

Audubon

VIDEOS

Some huge nests here!

David Attenborough’s doco on Sociable Weavers.

 

Ostrich (Struthio camelus)

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The Ostrich or Common Ostrich (Struthio camelus) is either one or two species of large flightless birds native to Africa, the only living member(s) of the genus Struthio, which is in the ratite family.

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Ostriches are widespread throughout most of Africa.  You’ll see them in most national parks that cater to safari goers.

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LEARN MORE ABOUT OSTRICHES

Wikipedia

Birdlife

National Geographic

African Wildlife Foundation

VIDEO

The ultimate documentary about Ostriches.  Those babies are so cute and it is fascinating to watch how they grow up and learn about the world from their parents!

African Penguin (Spheniscus demersus)

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The African Penguin (Spheniscus demersus), also known as the jackass penguin and black-footed penguin is a species of penguin, confined to southern African waters. It is also widely known as the “jackass” penguin for its donkey-like bray, although several related species of South American penguins produce the same sound. Like all extant penguins it is flightless, with a streamlined body, and wings stiffened and flattened into flippers for a marine habitat.

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African Penguins are found in the coastal areas of southern Africa.  They are easily seen at Boulders Beach, about an hour’s drive south of Cape Town.

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LEARN MORE ABOUT AFRICAN PENGUINS

Wikipedia

Birdlife

Animal Fact Guide

Biological Diversity

VIDEOS

This is a fantastic video which depicts just about every activity in an African Penguin’s life (and I do mean EVERYTHING)!

And here’s some information about conserving them.

 

Spangled Cotinga (Cotinga cayana)

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The Spangled Cotinga (Cotinga cayana) is a species of bird in the family Cotingidae, the cotingas. It is found in the canopy of the Amazon Rainforest in South America.

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This beautiful little bird has a huge range throughout South America.  I saw this one at the Canopy Tower in Cristalino.

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LEARN MORE ABOUT SPANGLED COTINGAS

Wikipedia

Birdlife

Neotropical Birds

VIDEOS

Preening at Cristalino.

Turning his back on the paparazzi.

 

 

Blue Dacnis / Turquoise Honeycreeper (Dacnis cayana)

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The Blue Dacnis or Turquoise Honeycreeper (Dacnis cayana) is a small passerine bird and a member of the tanager family.

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This bird has a huge range from Nicaragua to the south of Brazil.  I have personally seen them at Cristalino and Laguna de Lagarto in Costa Rica but this is nowhere near an exhaustive list.

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LEARN MORE ABOUT BLUE DACNIS

Wikipedia

Birdlife

Neotropical Birds

VIDEOS

Just look at the gorgeous blue on this hungry little guy!

Bird feeders with fruit will attract them.

 

 

 

Hawaiian Petrels Journey To Safety

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Although I have been to Hawaii a few times I have never really thought about it being a place where there are endangered species until I saw this mini-doco about Hawaiian Petrels.  Yet another reason to hate cats!

The chicks are so cute!

 

Paradise Tanager (Tangara chilensis)

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The Paradise Tanager (Tangara chilensis) is a brilliantly multicolored, medium-sized songbird whose length varies between 13.5 and 15 cm. It has a light green head, sky blue underparts and black upper body plumage. Depending on subspecies, the rump is yellow and red or all red. The beak is black and the legs are grey.

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This stunning little tanager has a large range in the more remote areas of South America.  I saw this little beauty at Cristalino, but you could also see them in places like Tambopata, Manu and the Napo region of Ecuador.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PARADISE TANAGERS

Wikipedia

Birdlife

Neotropical Birds

VIDEOS

They are even more beautiful in motion!

 

 

Cuvier’s Toucan (Ramphastos cuvieri)

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Some of my resources listed below consider the Cuvier’s Toucan (Ramphastos cuvieri) to be a species on it’s own and some consider it to be a subspecies of the White-throated Toucan (Ramphastos tucanus).

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Here’s a close up from Wikipedia.

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This beautiful toucan has a large range in South America in Brazil, Peru, Bolivia & Colombia.  My first photo was taken at Cristalino in Brazil.

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LEARN MORE ABOUT CUVIER’S TOUCAN

Wikipedia

Birdife

BirdNote

The Toucan Route

VIDEO

I could only find one video with this bird online which was filmed in Peru.

 

Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga)

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The Anhinga ( Anhinga anhinga), sometimes called snakebird, darter, American darter, or water turkey, is a water bird of the warmer parts of the Americas. The word anhinga comes from the Brazilian Tupi language and means devil bird or snake bird. When swimming the origin of the name snakebird is apparent: only the colored neck appears above water so the bird looks like a snake ready to strike. They do not have external nares (nostrils) and breathe solely through their epiglottis.

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I’ve seen them sunning themselves with open wings while doing river trips in Peru – Tambopata & Brazil – Cristalino.  They have a large range throughout South America so would be widespread in any similar habitat.

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LEARN MORE ABOUT ANHINGAS

Wikipedia

Birdlife

Audubon

VIDEOS

Interesting behaviour taken with a camera I just bought to supplement my Canon 60d

Spear-fishing

You can see them in Florida too!