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Tuesday 8 May 2018

Post number 8 on the birds I saw in Southern Africa.

Pied Crow (Corvus albus). KwaZulu-Natal.

The Pied Crow is omnivorous, feeding on various insects and molluscs. It also takes small vertebrates such as amphibians and lizards, rodents, small birds and fish. It may sometimes catch insects, birds and bats in flight. It takes roadside kills and frequents the rubbish dumps with raptors and marabou storks.

The Pied Crow is known to raid bird’s nests, taking eggs and nestlings. It follows the bushfires for insects and the plough for invertebrates. It has been reported that it can break eggs of an Ostrich dropping stones from a height!

Steppe Buzzard (Buteo vulpinus). KwaZulu-Natal.
The Steppe Buzzard is a common summer visitor to South Africa. They prey mostly on small mammals, birds, reptiles and invertebrates, and will scavenge from carcasses.

The Great White Pelicans (Pelecanus onocrotalus) in the foreground, with a Marabou Stork (Leptoptilos crumeniferus)in the background.
The Pelican in an enormous waterbird, mostly white with short legs and a massive, broad and very long azure blue bill which has a central red stripe and ends in a small, red hook. The mostly white bird has contrasting black flight feathers on the wings. In the breeding season, the Pelican takes on a pinkish flush and there is usually a yellow wash on the breast.

The Great White Pelicans with Yellow-billed Stork (Mycteria ibis) in the background.

Yellow-billed Kite (Milvus parasitus).

As above.
Urban areas suit this bird well, as it is incredibly opportunistic in its behaviour. Diet is varied, and it will feed on any prey small enough to be caught and eaten, such as small mammals, reptiles, birds, and insects. Carrion is regularly eaten, as well as human leftovers and scraps. It is not uncommon for yellow-billed kites to swoop down and steal food from under the nose of humans.

As above.


Linked to

18 comments:

  1. Wonderful pictures - the crow and the kite are great looking birds,

    Stewart M - Melbourne

    PS: link on WBW seems to be working for other people - dont know what's up! SM

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    1. Stewart the crows are real characters with a strange sense of humour!!! The link worked the third time just fine so I am not sure what happened, odd. Cheers Diane

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  2. The crow is so unusual. Love these gorgeous creatures!

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    1. Marie the crows are interesting birds and can also be a nuisance. They do not have much respect for anything, not humans or other birds. :-) Take care Diane

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  3. Enjoyed seeing all your pics, but the head shots are amazing!

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    1. Thanks Betty, I was pretty chuffed with those head shots :-) Take care Diane

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  4. Loved the buzzard and kite! Wow, that pied crow is resourceful, breaking ostrich eggs by dropping stones on them!

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    1. The pied crowas are interesting birds but I am a lover of the birds of prey. Take care Diane

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  5. ooooh, look at those eyes........ wow.......

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    1. Oh what big eyes you have :-))))) Thanks for the visit and the comment. Have a good day Diane

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  6. I had a group of 14 white pelicans soar overhead. They are amazing birds!

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    1. Wonderfu sight seeing them fly over and your photos are fabulous. Have a good weekend Diane

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    1. Thanks Pam, always love to hear from you. Take care Diane.

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  8. More super images, Diane. Those of the Yellow-billed Kite are amazing - what a fabulous bird! I'm a bit partial to your Pied Crow too - a tad smarter than the Hooded Crow that can be found in the north of UK.

    With my very best wishes - - - Richard

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    1. Richard those pied crows are entertaining to watch, though they can also be pests. Obviously they have a clever brain though!! I love the yellow billed kites, but then I am a big fan of the birds of prey. I spent many years working with a boss who was also a falconer, I learnt so much about them.

      Have a good weekend and following week. Diane

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  9. Wow, you've got a great collection in this post of opportunistic feeders! Beautiful pictures. I love birds, but I'd be pretty freaked out if a yellow-billed Kite stole my sandwich ;>)

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    1. Thanks Sallie for the kind comment and the visit. I would rather a kite stole my sandwich than a monkey which also happens in Africa!! Take care Diane

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