Zvezda & Alex 4th time: Just birdin'

[xelas]

BY 165 / SA 120
African Paradise Flycatcher - Terpsiphone viridis
 

 

Mkhuze Game Reserve, 4-Feb-2019
 

[pedro maia]

Really cool that Flycatcher .

[Tdgraves]

@xelas have you actually got a picture of the tail of the alleged square tailed drongo? 

[xelas]

Not really, @Tdgraves; although despite of its name, the tail is also forked, and not square. I have based my ID more on eye colour, and on colour of the feathers. If there will be conclusive evidence that mine is a wrong ID, I am happy to correct it, alongside with my BY count.

[xelas]

I can see that my Big Year is slowly approching the more slippery areas of birds. But first some easy ones.

 

BY 166 / SA 121
Pied Crow - Corvus albus
 

 

Royal Natal NP, 15-Feb-2019
 

[xelas]

Larks are among those more complicated ones. Luckily (or unluckily) we have found only 2 species of Larks (but at the end I will add a couple of UFO's).

 

BY 167 / SA 122
Rufous-napped Lark - Mirafra Africana
 

 

Royal Natal NP, 14-Feb-2019
 

 

 

BY 168 / SA 123

Sabota Lark - Calendulauda sabota
 

 

iSimangaliso Wetland Park, 8-Feb-2019
 

[xelas]

Now to easier targets to ID.

 

BY 169 - SA 124
Dark-capped Bulbul - Pycnonotus tricolor
 

 

Mkhuze Game Reserve, 4-Feb-2019
 

[xelas]

BY 170 / SA 125
Sombre Greenbul - Andropadus importunus
 

 

Mkhuze Game Reserve, 5-Feb-2019
 

 

BY 171 / SA 126
Yellow-bellied Greenbul - Chlorocichla flaviventris
 

 

iSimangaliso Wetland Park, 5-Feb-2019
 

[Dave Williams]

You did well to get the whole bird with no interfering branches for that Paradise Flycatcher.. they are a re pain and frustration at times.

Agree on the Larks, I haven't bothered posting some in the past!

[Tdgraves]

5 hours ago, xelas said:

Not really, @Tdgraves; although despite of its name, the tail is also forked, and not square. I have based my ID more on eye colour, and on colour of the feathers. If there will be conclusive evidence that mine is a wrong ID, I am happy to correct it, alongside with my BY count.

 

Ah! So you use the red eyes to tell the difference between two birds with red eyes??!!???  OK then, I'll believe you....

[Galana]

20 minutes ago, Tdgraves said:

Ah! So you use the red eyes to tell the difference between two birds with red eyes??!!???  OK then, I'll believe you..

1000's wouldn't! I had already 'liked' @Tdgraves earlier post.

FWIW the only way to tell the FT from the ST in the absence of the tail is when in flight the ST does not show lighter primaries.

 

Some good photos feeding through. As Dave says the Paradise FC is a very neat capture.

Edited April 8, 2019 by Galana

[TonyQ]

Really enjoying your South Africa additions - well done on the 100 from that country.

I think it is very helpful if there are not many Larks or Pipits in an area

[xelas]

2 hours ago, Tdgraves said:

 

Ah! So you use the red eyes to tell the difference between two birds with red eyes??!!???  OK then, I'll believe you....

 

From Roberts:

Square-tailed Drongo

Seen in good light has a bluish sheen. Deep red eye.

 

2 hours ago, Galana said:

FWIW the only way to tell the FT from the ST in the absence of the tail is when in flight the ST does not show lighter primaries.

 

So perch bird could be either Square or Fork. I only have one more photo of "Square" but the tail is even less visible.

 

It is not very scientific but every Drongo so far was easy to be ID, due to its perching position, and forked tail. Th "ST" was found in a different habitat&position.

[Galana]

1 hour ago, xelas said:

Th "ST" was found in a different habitat&position.

That is also a good guide. STs prefer thicker forests whereas FT are mainly Miombo dwellers.

Its your list. You count it.

[Dave Williams]

It's also described as common so the odds are that you saw one.......

[xelas]

Leaving Drongo behind (and you will have again the chance to comment my ID when the Cisticola's arrives ), next are fast flying birds.

 

BY 172 / SA 127
Black Saw-wing - Psalidoprocne holomelas
 

 

iSimangaliso Wetland Park, 5-Feb-2019
 

[xelas]

BY 173 / SA 128
Banded Martin - Riparia cincta
 

 

Royal Natal NP, 13-Feb-2019
 

[xelas]

BY 174 / SA 129
Barn Swallow - Hirundo rustica
 

 

Mkhuze Game Reserve, 2-Feb-2019
 

 

Edited April 9, 2019 by xelas

[xelas]

BY 175 / SA 130
White-throated Swallow - Hirundo albigularis
 

 

Royal Natal NP, 14-Feb-2019
 

Edited April 9, 2019 by xelas

[xelas]

BY 176 / SA 131
Greater Striped Swallow - Cecropis cucullata
 

 

For those who have watched this space! Cute, eh?!

 

juvenile

 

Royal Natal NP, 13-Feb-2019
 

Edited April 9, 2019 by xelas

[xelas]

BY 177 / SA 132
Lesser Striped Swallow - Cecropis abyssinica
 

 

Mkhuze Game Reserve, 4-Feb-2019
 

[xelas]

BY 178 / SA 133
Red-breasted Swallow - Cecropis semirufa
 

 

iSimangaliso Wetland Park, 8-Feb-2019
 

[xelas]

BY 179 / SA 134
Long-billed Crombec - Sylvietta rufescens
 

 

iMfolozi Park, 9-Feb-2019
 

[xelas]

BY 180 / SA 135
Fan-tailed Grassbird (aka Broad-tailed Warbler) - Schoenicola brevirostris
 

 

Royal Natal NP, 13-Feb-2019
 

Edited April 9, 2019 by xelas

[Galana]

Fan-tailed Grassbird or Broad-tailed Warbler my friend.