PC's fifth attempt

[Peter Connan]

54) Malachite Kingfisher

 

Kuifkopvisvanger

Alcedo cristata

 

 

2 January, Mankwe Hide, Pilanesberg

 

 

 

 

28 January, Duiker hide, Marievale

[Peter Connan]

55) Brown-hooded Kingfisher

 

Bruinkopvisvanger

Halcyon albiventris

 

While the above three Kingfishers (as well as the half-collared and Gygmy) live mostly off fish and crabs and are found only in very close proximity to water, this one (and also the Woodlands and Grey-headed here in SA) lives off frogs, lizards and large insects, and may be found a bit further away from water, but usually still fairly close to a dam or river.

 

 

 

Pilanesberg, about 500m away from Mankwe dam. 

 

1 January

[Galana]

8 hours ago, Peter Connan said:

Apparently the largest bird that can hover for extended period without wind.

I am not sure of that but it is certainly the only Kingfisher that can, hence its distribution across the map by crossing Oceans and feeding itself on the way.

 

Edit. I wrote that on the last page before I turned over and saw that Malachite sequence. Terrific! Brown hooded too.

Edited February 27, 2018 by Galana
Additonal text.

[Peter Connan]

Thank you very much @Galana

[TonyQ]

What a beautiful Malachite Kingfisher. I really like the way you show the pattern on the back of its head as well.

[Peter Connan]

Thank you very much @TonyQ

[Peter Connan]

And the last bird from Pilanesberg:

 

56) Brown Snake-eagle

 

Bruinslangarend

Circaetus cinereus

 

 

Snake eagles commonly have bright yellow eyes and long, un-feathered legs, making them relatively easy to identify.

[Peter Connan]

57) African Paradise Flycatcher

 

Paradysvlieevanger

Terpsiphone viridis

 

 

In a friend's garden, Hennops. 5 January

[Peter Connan]

58) Greater Striped Swallow

 

Grootstreepswael

Hirundo cucullata

 

12 January, at home

 

 

 

28 January, Marievale.

 

These birds make mud-bowl nests which are lined with grass and feathers, but this grass seems a bit course for lining? Perhaps it is Re-bar-grass?

 

 

 

 

[PeterHG]

Great flight shots of the swallows!

[TonyQ]

Wow - wonderful photos of the swallows in flight. I can only dream

[xelas]

6 minutes ago, TonyQ said:

I can only dream

 

Me too ... or should I buy D500 ?!

[Peter Connan]

Thank you very much @PeterHG, @TonyQ and @xelas

 

D500 and a fast-focusing lens certainly help with these, but one still has to be lucky enough to find a place where they are flying reasonably close...

[Kitsafari]

beautiful shots of the European bee-eater and the giant kingfisher. 

[Peter Connan]

Thank you very much @Kitsafari

[Peter Connan]

59) Grey Go-away bird

 

Kwevoel

Corythaixoides concolor

 

 

7 January, home

 

15 January, Joubert's Hoop, Timbavati

[Kitsafari]

well it seems i have exhausted my daily quota of 100 likes and thus I can't like anything else. so please consider what you post today liked!

[Peter Connan]

Thank you @Kitsafari

 

With the Big Year concept taking off, we definitely need more than 100 likes per day!

[Tdgraves]

17 hours ago, Peter Connan said:

 

D500 and a fast-focusing lens certainly help with these, but one still has to be lucky enough to find a place where they are flying reasonably close...

 

I was there and I didn’t even bother trying....

[Peter Connan]

@Tdgraves, insanity has it's rewards!

 

?

[Peter Connan]

60) Laughing Dove

 

Rooiborsduifie

Streptopelia senegalensis

 

 

 

11 January, Home

[Galana]

5 hours ago, Peter Connan said:

@Tdgraves, insanity has it's rewards!

They say genius is next to madness and I know a few birders where the margin is definitely blurred.

[Peter Connan]

61) African Olive (formerly Rameron) Pigeon

 

Geelbekbosduif

Columba arquatrix

 

 

 

11 & 14 January, home

[PeterHG]

Never seen one. Beautiful, Peter!

[Peter Connan]

Thank you @PeterHG

They are found in indigenous forests and urban areas whith high concentrations of fruit trees.

 

interestingly, the male collects the nest building material and gives it to the female, and she does the actual building.

 

I think they are local migrants as they dissappear from my area for large parts of tbe year.