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Tuesday 10 April 2018

Post number 4 on the birds I saw in Southern Africa.

Fork-tailed Drongo (Dicrurus adsimilis)...


It was amazingly patient while I moved in closer!  Botswana.


Southern ground-hornbill (Bucorvus leadbeateri), seen in Botswana, it is the largest hornbill in the world...


It feeds on the ground, but here you can see the large wingspan 120 to 180 cm....


and yes at night it often will roost in a tree.  They are now on the endangered list in some places.


The hamerkop (Scopus umbretta), is a medium-sized wading bird. Seen in Botswana...

It is the only living species in the genus Scopus and the family Scopidae. You can see the shape of the head here, and why it is called a hamerkop (hammerhead)...


They eat a varied diet of amphibians, fish, insects, and crustaceans.

The marabou stork (Leptoptilos crumenifer).  Seen in Botswana.  It is sometimes called the "undertaker bird" due to its shape from behind: cloak-like wings and back and skinny white legs.  Personally, I think they are the ugliest of birds!


The beautiful Lilac-breasted roller (Coracias caudatus). Seen in Botswana....


as above...


As above.


The European roller (Coracias garrulus) seen in KwaZulu Natal where it spends its winters....

before returning to Europe to breed.

European bee-eater (Merops apiaster). KwaZulu-Natal.



Linking with 


To be continued...

20 comments:

  1. Wow, those are gorgeous! Love your shots of the rollers.

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    1. Hi Connie, thanks for the visit and for the comment, much appreciated. Have a good week Diane

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  2. Fabulous photos, Diane. Impressive birds, all.

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    1. Thanks Marie, there are some beutiful birds in Africa. Hope you are havig a good week Diane

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  3. Beautiful birds! I am especially fond of the roller. Hope you are having a good week.

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    1. Thanks Betty, both rollers are lovely. Hope all is well Diane

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  4. Wow! What an amazing selection of birds - The lilac breasted roller is beyond lovely.

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    1. The Lilac breasted roller is one of the most beutiful birds, they are so clourful. Take care Diane

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  5. Hi Diane. I have seen all of these birds, I have fork tailed drongos visiting my garden often, especially when there are lots of mozzzies and/or flying ants about; a hamerkop visits regularly as well and keeps the population of frogs down in my rock pools. The Lilac Breased Roller is one of the prettiest birds and one of my favourites in Kruger National Park. Fantastic photos!

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    1. Kim you are lucky to have so many of these birds on your door step as it were. My friends from Mafikeng are off to Kruger next month and I am so jealous, while another friend is off to the Okavango in a couple of weeks. I have dreamt of going there for years. Enjoy your week. Diane

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  6. I am closer geographically to Kruger than you but unless I win the lottery, don't stand much chance of visiting it again. I'm glad you are going to the doctor next week. I will be checking up on how you got on. x

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    1. Thanks Kim. I hope he listens to me and comes up with some good answers. I have had this persistent cough before that went on for years and the specialists had no answers!! An Italian Dr fixed it for me eventually. I have his treatment written down so it will be coming with me next week! Cheers Diane

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  7. I really am getting a great deal of pleasure from your bird blog, Diane. Your photography is excellent and the information you supply with it is fascinating. Thank you!

    I hope your weather this week is better than ours. With my very best wishes - - - Richard

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    1. Thanks for the kind comment Richard. I sometimes get quite depressed with my photos when I look at Noushka's blog. I have not got her cameras, but even if I did I would never have her knowledge or skill.

      The weather looks like it might improve but we just need some sun. The garden is awash and muddy after 430 mm of rain so far this year!! Take care. Cheers Diane

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  8. Excellent shots! That Southern Ground-Hornbill is especially cool looking.

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    1. Thanks Pam, the ground hornbill is an interesting bird :-) Keep well Diane

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    1. Thanks Penny, I am sure that many of these you will have seen. Take care Diane

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  10. There are some cracking pictures there. I especially like those Lilac-breasted and European Rollers. The European Rollers and Bee Eaters I see only when I go to the Med in spring and autumn. The Hammerkop is as you say a unique bird, in looks and its family. The drongo is rather beautiful and beautifully captured.

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    1. Thanks Phil for the kind comments. I always thought the drongo looked quite plain when I lived there and only had a Brownie Box, now I have a reasoable camera I see how beatiful it really is :-) My mother used to hate the hammerkop - it had a liking for her goldfish :-) The rollers are quie beautiful. Have a good Sunday Diane

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