Spurfowls, like francolins, are part of the pheasant family. Their name comes from the tarsal (leg) spurs that are especially evident in the males. All 23 species of spurfowls are endemic to the African continent, with 6 species occurring in southern Africa.
Continue reading “Terrestrial birds: Southern African spurfowls”
Although they are predominantly brown, there is nothing drab about crested francolins plumage. Their intricately patterned plumage serves to provide effective camouflage for these terrestrial birds. They are named for the dark crest on the head, but as that is only occasionally raised the most noticeable feature is the broad white eyestripe.
Continue reading “Terrestrial birds southern Africa: Crested francolin”
In this second post on terrestrial birds in southern Africa, I share my photos of the tall and stately kori bustards (Ardeotis kori) that inhabit some of our drier regions, where they can be seen walking majestically through open savanna and arid grasslands.
Continue reading “Terrestrial birds in southern Africa: The stately kori bustard”
Here is the first in a series of posts on terrestrial birds, defined rather loosely as those species that spend most of their time foraging on the ground, rather than in trees or hunting on the wing. First up is the southern ground hornbill (Bucorvus leadbeateri).
Continue reading “Terrestrial Birds in Southern Africa: Southern Ground Hornbill”
The blue crane is South Africa’s national bird. It is a strikingly beautiful and statuesque bird, standing at up to 1.2 m (4 ft) in height. We are lucky enough to see them flying over our house from time to time, their distinctive calls drawing our attention. But it was only when driving through freshly harvested wheat fields that I had an opportunity to photograph blue cranes as they congregated in large groups.
Continue reading “South Africa’s blue cranes in the croplands of the Overberg”
Visiting birds such as malachite sunbirds bring their own festive features to the garden in the year-end summer holidays. There will be no snow lying round about, no blazing Yule before us, or halls decked with boughs of holly. But oblivious of all that, the birds are donned in gay apparel. Fa la la la la and all that 🎶
Continue reading “Fine feathers for the festive season in an Overberg garden”
A September outing took us up a farm road, offering a spot of birdwatching, and then past the Sugarbird Nature Reserve that was rich with flowers as the vegetation regenerated after a previous fire.
Continue reading “Springtime in the Overberg, Part 2: Feathers, farmlands and flowers”
Although the males are unmistakable and conspicuous in the breeding season, initially I didn’t recognize the first non-breeding pin-tailed whydahs I saw in our Western Cape garden.
Continue reading “The pretty and pugnacious pin-tailed whydah”
This summer, charismatic Cape sugarbirds (Promerops cafer) have been regular visitors to our garden. Named sugarbirds as they are largely nectar feeders, they are closely associated with proteas for food and shelter. Cape sugarbirds occur only in the fynbos regions of the Western Cape and into parts of the Eastern Cape.
Continue reading “Cape sugarbird: Summer visitors to our garden”