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 

Wild Bird Wednesday 298

To be continued...

Post No 3 on the birds I saw in Southern Africa.

African fish eagle (Haliaeetus vocifer), Botswana, Chobe river.

If you have never heard the call of the fish eagle, one of the best sounds in Africa, click here

Reed cormorant (Microcarbo africanus). Botswana.

African sacred ibis (Threskiornis aethiopicus). Botswana.

White-faced whistling duck (Dendrocygna viduata). Botswana.

As above.

As above, seen in KwaZulu-Natal.

Cardinal woodpecker, female (Dendropicos fuscescens).  Botswana.

African Paradise Flycatcher, female  (Terpsiphone viridis). Botswana.

As above, male. Botswana.

Common bulbul (Pycnonotus barbatus). Botswana.

Blacksmith lapwing,  formally called a blacksmith plover (Vanellus armatus).  Botswana.

As above.

Southern carmine bee-eater, formally called simply a Carmine Bee-eater, (Merops nubicoides). Botswana.

Three-banded plover, (Charadrius tricollaris)  also known as the three-banded sand-plover, treble-banded (sand-)plover, and as the tri-collared (sand-)plover.  Botswana.

As above. 

Linking with Wild Bird Wednesday 297

To be continued.....

Photos taken in Botswana and South Africa.

Long-tailed shrike (Urolestes melanoleucus). Botswana.

Red-backed shrike (Lanius collurio). KwaZulu-Natal

Crimson-breasted shrike (Laniarius atrococcineus). Botswana.

Lesser grey shrike (Lanius minor). Botswana.

 Crowned Lapwing (Vanellus coronatus). Botswana.

As above

European bee-eater (Merops apiaster). Botswana.

As above.

Grey go-away-bird or Grey loerie (Corythaixoides concolor). Botswana.

As above.

Helmeted guineafowl (Numida meleagris).  Botswana.

African hoopoe (Upupa africana). Botswana.

Kalahari scrub robin (Erythropygia paena). Botswana.

Cape Glossy-Starling (Lamprotornis nitens). Botswana.

Crested guineafowl (Guttera pucherani). KwaZulu-Natal.

To be continued.