Close-up of a lesser striped swallow, with details of its bold streaking on the underparts, and the orange ear coverts. The Walsingham Farm, Port Alfred, Eastern Cape (2024). Smaller and darker than the greater striped swallow, with more prominent blackish striping contrasting strongly with the whiter underparts. Rump darker rufous. Ear coverts rufous (not whitish).… Continue reading Lesser striped swallow (Cecropis abysinnica)
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Greater striped swallow (Cecropis cucullata)
Greater striped swallow with its white ear coverts and diffuse streaking on the underparts. Valley of Desolation, Graaf-Reinett, Eastern Cape (2021). Larger and paler than the lesser striped swallow. Striping on the buffy underparts is paler and less well defined. Orange crown slightly paler, and rump paler rufous. Ear coverts whitish (and not rufous). Crown… Continue reading Greater striped swallow (Cecropis cucullata)
Black-headed heron (Ardea melanocephala)
Juvenile black-headed heron, lacking the black crown yet, but showing the characteristic dark ear coverts. Port Alfred, Eastern Cape (2024) - iNaturalist A large, greyish heron of terrestrial habitats. Slightly smaller than the grey heron, with contrasting dark flight feathers and pule underwing coverts in flight. Black crown and hindneck contrast with white throat. Underparts… Continue reading Black-headed heron (Ardea melanocephala)
Pied kingfisher (Ceryle rudis)
Female pied kingfisher resting on a jetty. Kowie River, Port Alfred, Eastern Cape (2022) - iNaturalist A large, black-and-white kingfisher, with a long, black bill and short crest. Male has a double breast band, while female has a single, incomplete breast band.Juveniles like females, but with the feathers from chin to breast edged buff. 23… Continue reading Pied kingfisher (Ceryle rudis)
Goliath heron (Ardea goliath)
Goliath heron cruising in the shallows. Kowie River, Port Alfred, Eastern Cape (2022) - iNaturalist The largest heron, with a massive, heavy bill. Rich chestnut brown head, neck and underparts, which recall the much smaller purple heron. Unstriped head and blackish legs and bill. In flight, the huge, broad wings beat slowly and deeply. Juveniles… Continue reading Goliath heron (Ardea goliath)
The Superpowers of South Africa’s Most Hated Bird 🐦🇿🇦 [8 min]
Let's Start A Conversation ! 💬 #11 - Biological & Ecological News Video published on my YouTube channel as part of the 'Let's Start A Conversation' playlist, that shares biological and ecological news in a fun and concise manner. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQlh9BF42yY&t=11s When I first came to South Africa, I did not know about the ‘African alarm… Continue reading The Superpowers of South Africa’s Most Hated Bird 🐦🇿🇦 [8 min]
Need A Beak To Get There ? 🦜🌳 [9 min]
Let's Start A Conversation ! 💬 #7 - Biological & Ecological News Video published on my YouTube channel as part of the 'Let's Start A Conversation' playlist, that shares biological and ecological news in a fun and concise manner. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-kIKyRVS6k Sometimes, you live in a place where you find it hard to move around. Maybe… Continue reading Need A Beak To Get There ? 🦜🌳 [9 min]
F*CK FISH 