Birds I have seen in Africa and Europe.: January 2021

Friday 29 January 2021

29/01/2021 The African Green Pigeon

My thanks once again to Christelle who took these photos of the African Green pigeon. I gather it is quite a rare sighting, so she was lucky to get so many photos and we are lucky to be able to see them.

The African green pigeon (Treron calvus).

Taking a nap!

I'm listening...

See also my Photodiary

Joining up with

Wild Bird Wednesday

I'd Rather B Birdin

and

My Corner of the World

Monday 25 January 2021

25/01/2021 A few more photos local in France.

I have some more great photos from Christelle in South Africa, but I thought I would return to our French garden this week, and some just closeby.

I was delighted to see Nene (Branta sandvicensis), or Hawaiian goose, out walking the other day. I last saw them just before Christmas and I was worried that they might end up on the Xmas table. Obviously, somebody cares for them and knows how rare they are...

As above...

As above.

Eurasian blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus)...

as above...

and on the window sill asking for more food!

Common chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs).

Great Tit (Parus major).

European robin (Erithacus rubecula)...

As above...

As above.

House Sparrow female (Passer domesticus)...

As above but a male...

As above

See also my Photodiary

Joining up with

Wild Bird Wednesday

I'd Rather B Birdin

and

My Corner of the World

Monday 18 January 2021

18/01/2021 More photos from South Africa

My thanks again go to Christelle for these fabulous photos of the Green Wood hoopoes (Phoeniculus purpureus), formally known as the Red-billed Wood Hoopoe, photos taken in the Eastern Cape. It forages on trees, running up and down trunks and branches locating food, usually insects but also reptiles, amphibians and seeds. It nests in pre-existing cavities and lays 2-5 eggs, which are incubated for 17-18 days. The chicks are fed by helpers, as well as the breeding male and stay in the nest for 28-30 days. By 3-4 weeks after leaving the nest, they can fly strongly, and they are fully independent 2-3 months after fledging. The adults have the red bill, the youngsters still have black bills but these will soon change.