Birds of a feather or Why I am in awe of bird photographers.

2541
The waxbill has a clever strategy for making certain that its chicks survive. They tend to build their nest close to that of a paper wasp. This tactic ensures that if a large predator tries to access the waxbill nest, the wasps will attack and drive it off.

 

 

 

A Brown Snake Eagle keeps a beady eye open for potential prey.

Let me nail my colours to the mast. I am in awe of bird photographers. They have immense patience, very long and expensive lenses and are capable of sitiing in the same spot for hours on end to get 1 shot of some obscure and often drab bird that will get them to the next milestone on their life list.

I, on the other hand, have none of those qualities, except for the long lens. My attention span is a bit better than my collar size, but not by much.

That is why, when I hear of a bird photographer taking 6 years and 72000 images to get ONE picture, my initial reaction is “WHY”?

But I suppose I am really no better as I will sit at a kill for the longest while, repositioning the vehicle to get the right light etc.

So, let me not be too judgmental and recognize to each his own and let me share some of my favourite bird images with you, dear reader, in this post.

Did you know?

They are sometimes slaughtered by some snakes such as python and cobra. The spitting cobra spoils the coil of the bird and blinds them. Therefore, brown snake eagles are caught and killed by their intended prey.

 

 

 

Size does NOT always count.

This interaction was so interesting that I actually stopped on the side of a major road to capture it.

Here, a much smaller Pied Crow successfully chased of a MUCH larger Martial Eagle from a tree that it was inhabiting.

I watched this interaction continue for several minutes as the Eagle tried, unsuccessfully, to claim the tree.

Finally, tired of the bombardment from the crows, it seemed to decide that discretion was the better part of valour and it took flight and headed off into the distance.

I could almost state that I heard the crows laughing as it headed off to the horizon.

 

 

 

Black birds are difficult to photograph, unless you can get light on an eye.

A Fork-tailed Drongo. One of the most successful mimics in the bird world.

They feed on insects and small birds, which they catch in flight or on the ground. This species are accomplished mimics and have a variety of alarm calls, to which other birds and animals often respond. They are known to utter fake alarm calls that scare other animals off food, which a Drongo will then claim.

Drongos are short-legged birds who literally speak with forked tongues, as do many passerines. They are good mimics and the Drongo uses this ability for tactical deceit.

 

 

 

The Lilac-breasted Roller.

Probably on of the most iconic of the South African bird species after the African Fish Eagle.

FYI:

The lilac-breasted roller is Kenya’s national bird because of the wide array of colours on its feather coat. In total, it has around 8 colours: green, white, black, yellow, turquoise, dark blue, reddish-brown, and lilac.

The colours are supposed to represent the many different tribes that make up Kenya’s community.

It was also the National bird of Botswana, where their feathers are used in traditional indigenous wedding attire.

Unusually for a bird species it is not dimorphic, meaning that both females and males are equally as stunning as each other and it is hard to tell the difference between the sexes.

 

 

 

After the ostrich, the Southern Ground Hornbill is undoubtedly the heaviest flying species in South Africa.

Southern Ground-Hornbill are believed to reach maturity at about eight years of age, with an average of one chick fledged every six years.  They usually live for 40 to 50 years and the oldest bird recorded was more than 60 years old.

Several indigenous African cultures see these birds as harbingers of rain and therefore killing them was taboo. However with the disappearance of such beliefs, these birds have become increasingly threatened.

This is a large bird, at 90 to 129 cm long. Females weigh 2.2 to 4.6 kilograms, while the larger males weigh 3.5 to 6.2 kilograms.

Did you know?

The largest flying bird in South Africa is the Kori Bustard that weighs in at an impressive 19kg.

 

 

 

Side by side. One normal coloured Arrow-marked Babbler, whilst a leucistic version of the same bird is sharing the bird bath with it.

Did you know?

In leucistic birds, affected plumage lacks melanin pigment due to the cells responsible for melanin production being absent. This results in a white feathers, unless the normal plumage colour also comprises carotenoids (e.g. yellows), which remain unaffected by the condition.

Also the eye colour will remain normal, unlike a red eye colour in albino birds.

 

 

 

So common, yet often ignored!

What used to be the Grey Lourie, is currently known as the Grey Go-away bird.

These are often found in urban gardens and if fed will interact with those who feed them.

 

 

 

Talk about looking down you nose…This Yellow-billed Hornbill has this look down to a fine art. They might see that allowing you close is condescending, but they are often found in game lodges looking for food.

Although not dangerous to guests they can be sneaky and make of with breakfast food like bread and fruit if guests are not careful

Stunning eye-lashes are believed to keep dust from the bird’s eyes.

 

 

 

A Hooded Vulture.

Although often maligned by those who know no better, without them our plains would be littered with rotting carcasses which would spread disease and pestilence.

 

 

 

A Helmeted Guinea Fowl in the early morning light.

 

 

 

If you learn no other bird calls, learn to identify that of the Red-billed Oxpecker. They can usually be found on dangerous game such as rhino and buffalo and can warn the unwary trail walker of potential danger that might lie unseen ahead.

 

 

 

A good bird book is a must! This one is also available as a phone app for both Apple and Android.

 

 

 

Check out the archived and current interviews… click on the image above.

 

 

 

 

All images are the copyright property of

and may not be used without permission.