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Michael´s Fourth Year


michael-ibk

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michael-ibk

171/B134.) Southern Ground-Hornbill (Bucorvus leadbeateri) / Kaffernhornrabe

 

A few sightings in Moremi, but most common in Savuti where it was posing nicely for us. Listed as vulnerable in Southern Africa, declining. Most birds restricted to protected areas now. Apparently persecuted for breaking house or car windows when hammering at their own reflections in territorial aggression according to the Robers App. @Peter Connan, have you ever heard of something like this happening?

 

Botswana_646_Southern Ground Hornbill_(Kaffernhornrabe).JPG

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172/B135.) Southern Yellow-Billed Hornbill (Tockus leucomelas) / Südlicher Gelbschnabeltoko

 

Absolutely abundant, especially in Savuti. I really wonder what exactly it is that makes some birds that successful in some areas. I discussed this with our guide Doug  but we did not come up with a good answer. Maybe it´s just a snowball effect. Separated from the Northern or Eastern Yellow-Billed Hornbill by the pinkish (not black) skin around the eye.

 

1569730745_Botswana_1546_Savuti_SouthernYellow-BilledHornbill_(SdlicherGelbschnabeltoko).JPG.3a9cb7360c88359b579480d518809802.JPG

 

Botswana_1775_Savuti.JPG.06777c70de5a373ebd6fb14106dd3d87.JPG

 

173/B136.) African Grey Hornbill (Tockus nasutus)/ Grautoko

 

Much rarer than its cousin, a few scattered sightings through the trip, not more than 10 birds in total. This one here is from the hotel garden in Maun of all places. Hornbills cannot swallow food caught at the tip of the beak as their tongues are too short to manipulate it, so they toss it back to the throat with a jerk of the head.

 

1929290614_Botswana_3523_Maun_AfricanGreyHornbill_(Grautoko).JPG.861f497951c4534de75b8d505f75aa8c.JPG

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174/B137.) Southern Red-Billed Hornbill (Tockus erythrorhynchus) / Südlicher Rotschnabeltoko

 

Another super-abundant species. Birding name authorities must have thought of Big Year contestants when dealing with the Red-Billed Hornbill which has been split in no less than five species which all look pretty much the same.

 

886963197_Botswana_910_Savuti_SouthernRed-BilledHornbill_(SdlicherRotschnabeltoko).JPG.01e565376299849e0c4fe87ee1124eca.JPG

 

175/B138.) Bradfield´s Hornbill (Tockus bradfieldi) / Felsentoko

 

Replacing the Crowned Hornbill in Botswana. A very similar-looking species but there is a small range overlap between the two in the East. Three or four sightings in Savuti.

 

1140978314_Botswana_1583_Savuti_BradfieldsHornbill_(Felsentoko).JPG.29e387838fbae8744e8440d6f589ca5b.JPG

 

IMG_6097.JPG.a9849df32041df6e071a0fcbd38e2bff.JPG

 

 

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176/B139.) Green aka Red-Billed Wood Hoopoe (Phoeniculus purpureus) / Baumhopf

 

The most widespread of the Wood Hoopoes. Quite common throughout the trip, easily detected by their loud cackling but not the easiest one to photograph. Became somewhat of a nemesis bird for my tripmate @Alexander33 who made it his mission to get a satisfying picture. This bird was seen at Khwai bridge, by far my best opportunity.

 

354888450_Botswana_2438_Khwai_GreenWoodHoopoe_(Baumhopf).JPG.9004f740759eb418d5189d3836273507.JPG

 

904628278_Botswana_2440_Khwai_GreenWoodHoopoe_(Baumhopf).JPG.63c902275952806210c3f6280e997dbb.JPG

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Alexander33
6 minutes ago, michael-ibk said:

176/B139.) Green aka Red-Billed Wood Hoopoe (Phoeniculus purpureus) / Baumhopf

 

The most widespread of the Wood Hoopoes. Quite common throughout the trip, easily detected by their loud cackling but not the easiest one to photograph. Became somewhat of a nemesis bird for my tripmate @Alexander33 who made it his mission to get a satisfying picture. 

 

 

And who failed miserably at said mission. This one at Khwai bridge was indeed our best opportunity.

 

A pox on that branch at lower right. The mission continues to another day!

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177/B140.) African Hoopoe (Upupa africana) / Afrikanischer Wiedehopf

 

Seen about ten times, a good trip number for a Hoopoe. The Roberts app tells me it is occasionally lying motionlessly on the ground with a flattened crest, while looking up at the sky, bill pointing upwards, probably "freezing" in response to birds of prey. Now that would be something to see! No risk of confusing it with the Eurasian Hoopoe btw - that species does never reach Southern Africa.

 

1561240745_Botswana_2570_Moremi_AfricanHoopoe_(AfrikanischerWiedehopf).JPG.cf5f0eef0de07faec1013a7a5bd2244e.JPG

 

 

 

745173416_Botswana_3100_Moremi_AfricanHoopoe_(AfrikanischerWiedehopf).JPG.84616d80c2c4647109af8ee0ea5c7395.JPG

 

 

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Peter Connan

Lovely photos again.

 

I have not really heard Southern Ground Hornbills smashing windows, but have witnessed many species of smaller birds fighting their reflections in windows, including Yellow-billed Hornbills. But I am sure the GH has the strength to break a window, unlike most other birds.

 

I certainly haven't heard of anybody killing one for that reason, but not sure I would hear of such a thing.

 

A friend of mine was involved in a project attempting to improve the Hornbill's breeding rates by harvesting the second egg from active nests and artificially incubating and hand-rearing them. I have asked him and will report back if he responds.

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178/B141.) Common Scimitarbill (Rhinopomastus cyanomelas) / Sichelhopf

 

One sighting in the Kalahari, one on the road back to Maun. Peter was making fun of me for even trying, and if I would post even THAT photo on the Big Year. Of course, I have no shame.B)

 

1476255341_Botswana_4026_Kalahari_CommonScimitarbill_(Sichelhopf).JPG.1cbd77e688fea9a96eef93a55593098f.JPG

 

The one on the way to Maun was not much, but slightly better:

 

1475498555_Botswana_4162_Kalahari_CommonScimitarbill_(Baumhopf).JPG.4b543c736cfda9e9e7691873f66a9202.JPG

 

1166972700_Botswana_4163_Kalahari_CommonScimitarbill_(Baumhopf).JPG.2099ff77945a36fc7caa36e6eed14b31.JPG

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179/B142.) Black-Collared Barbet (Lybius torquatus) / Halsband-Bartvogel

 

A handful of sightings in Kasane, Khwai and Moremi. The name "Barbet" is owed to the fact that their bill is fringed with bristles.

 

250511529_Botswana_2430_Khwai_Black-CollaredBarbet_(Halsband-Bartvogel).JPG.6707365a897460770d28d6cb752d8f48.JPG

 

433547578_Botswana_2809_Moremi_Black-CollaredBarbet_(Halsband-Bartvogel).JPG.ee6d0afb44a58cc950ab49feb3fd6e01.JPG

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Alexander33
9 minutes ago, michael-ibk said:

178/B141.) Common Scimitarbill (Rhinopomastus cyanomelas) / Sichelhopf

 

One sighting in the Kalahari, one on the road back to Maun. Peter was making fun of me for even trying, and if I would post even THAT photo on the Big Year. Of course, I have no shame.B)

 

 

No, no, not “making fun of.”  Never. More like, expressing concern as to whether it met your normally exceptional high standards. Surely you would never post anything that was borderline just so you could count off another species?

 

But you did yourself proud with the second shot. I’ll have to check, but I don’t think I managed to get anything as good as that. 

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michael-ibk

180/B143.) Crested Barbet (Trachyphonus vaillantii) / Haubenbartvogel

 

Only one sighting in Moremi.

 

31425700_Botswana_2789_Moremi_CrestedBarbet_(Haubenbartvogel).JPG.84d30e13257d79004cb3277d70e0893b.JPG

 

Continuing the discussion of birds reacting to reflections, we observed a Crested Barbet repeatedly attacking its "rival" in the shiny fringe door of Kwando´s Kwara camp back in 2014.

 

 

 

 

 

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michael-ibk
5 minutes ago, Alexander33 said:

 

No, no, not “making fun of.”  Never. More like, expressing concern as to whether it met your normally exceptional high standards. Surely you would never post anything that was borderline just so you could count off another species? 

 

Never. As I told all of you in Bots all my shots are nothing but stellar. And if you can´t recognize my deliberate artsy choices for unsharpness, out of focus, distracting backgrounds and the other well thought-out photo features I take so much pride in as such -  that´s your problem, not mine. :P;)

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181/B144.) Acacia Pied Barbet (Tricholaema leucomelas) / Rotstirn-Bartvogel

 

The Kalahari representative of the family. Two sightings. Since Barbets are generally frugivorous one wonders what exactly this bird is doing in a half-desert. Well, it's doing fine, getting by with mistletoes and wild dates, and also supplementing its food with insects.

 

1793902893_Botswana_3794_Kalahari_AcaciaPiedBarbet_(Rotstirn-Bartvogel).JPG.9e3b09a9ce56f3f1d2ed4750a15f4b91.JPG

 

 

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No Honeybirds this time so moving on to Woodpeckers. Oddly, we missed the Cardinal, so often the most common species. But got all the three others "available" in the area.

 

182/B145.) Bennet´s Woodpecker (Campethera bennettii) / Bennetspecht

 

By far the most common species, I´d say we saw between 15 to 20 in total. While all the Woodpeckers in the area look very much alike the Bennet´s is quite easily IDed when you see its belly - which is spotted. And the female is the only one with a brown cheek.

 

232805685_Botswana_3250_Moremi_BennetsWoodpecker_(Bennetspecht).JPG.3c48ad2175345dffda1f0c93e4e3cb1b.JPG

 

966025800_Botswana_3289_Moremi_BennetsWoodpecker_(Bennetspecht).JPG.741b101e565b578d481a7e3c74e7bd7d.JPG

 

183/B146.) Bearded Woodpecker (Dendropicos namaquus)/ Namaspecht

 

Two sightings, both not very good photo opportunities but enough to get a positive ID. Note the heavily contrasted head and the very dark belly on this female from Khwai.

 

459323303_Botswana_2410_Khwai_BeardedWoodpecker_(Namaspecht).JPG.c98dad07c3fc323c69df2f7702c8bbb4.JPG

 

184/B147.) Golden-Tailed Woodpecker (Campethera abingoni) / Goldschwanzspecht

 

The smallest species, only one sighting in Moremi. The streaks below are the best fieldmark for ID for this one. Probably a young one, starting to develop the more streaked cheeks. I considered Cardinal but by boosting the colour I found that the moustachial stripe is definitely red not brown.

 

1342763927_Botswana_2579_Moremi_Golden-TailedWoodpecker_(Goldschwanzspecht).JPG.eb859ca5f25ce77904abb8246968dcc3.JPG

 

 

 

 

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Onwards to one of the most complicated families - God help me, here come the Larks! I had a lot of pictures from this bunch but ended up deleting most of them. Even when seen from pretty close ID is often difficult to impossible since taxonomy seems to be in an everlasting state of flux, and most birds often look very different from the books depending on the area or even habitat they are in. So just the ones I am fairly sure about, but ready to be contested.

 

185/B148.) Red-Capped Lark (Calandrella cinerea) / Rotkappenlerche

 

The most distinctive one with its red cap. Only seen in the Kalahari where it was fairly common.

 

2004805311_Botswana_3735_Kalahari_Red-CappedLark_(Rotkappenlerche).JPG.5acc230876186689c0738d45b63d8a75.JPG

 

186/B149.) Sabota Lark (Calendulauda sabota) / Sabotalerche

 

From the long road to the CKGR. Very prominent supercilium, giving it an almost capped appearance.

 

721012619_Botswana_3563_Kalahari_SabotaLark_(Sabotalerche).JPG.76683f968232f44f14d792699038487f.JPG

 

187/B150.) Fawn-Coloured Lark (Calendulauda africanoides) / Savannenlerche

 

A bit warmer in appearance, less streaked on the breast. Also seen in the Kalahari.

 

738429110_Botswana_3826_Kalahari_Fawn-ColouredLark_(Savannenlerche).JPG.6d16752b8a1a3361fed05aaab228cd30.JPG

 

188/B151.) Eastern Clapper Lark (Mirafra rufocinnamomea) / Ostklapperlerche

 

Another Kalahari species. Unmistakable not so much by appearance but by sound - this Lark is flying high up, very much like our Skylark, with its wings creating a distinctive clapping noise.

 

909029248_Botswana_3744_Kalahari_EasternClapperLark_(Ostklapperlerche).JPG.c84406048fa5bd67bccaaf071273ba10.JPG

 

1278519410_Botswana_3745_Kalahari_EasternClapperLark_(Ostklapperlerche).JPG.ee7014c0e544b2c1dfd9f3f767ecf784.JPG

 

189/B152.) Rufous-Naped Lark (Mirafra africana) / Kurzhaubenlerche

 

The most commonly seen Lark, especially in Savuti and the Kalahari. Its song is familiar safari "music".

 

348733574_Botswana_1402_Savuti_Rufous-NapedLark_(Kurzhaubenlerche).JPG.46460e1eb61ff74c15324108c12b349b.JPG

 

 

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A great number of beautiful additions again! And even a video. Now, at least I realize where the 'Bar' in 'Barbet' come from ;). 

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190/B153.) Chestnut-Backed Sparrow-Lark (Eremopterix leucotis) / Weißwangenlerche

 

A couple of sightings in the Kalahari. Not a true Lark which is a good thing - they are much more distinctively plumaged, and they are sexually dimorphic, so far easier to ID.

 

808296398_Botswana_3882_Kalahari_Chestnut-BackedSparrow-Lark_(Weiwangenlerche).JPG.4c522a6410a727b9b548c77a055d340d.JPG

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191/B154.) Wire-Tailed Swallow (Hirundo smithii) / Rotkappenschwalbe

 

Very common (and confiding) on the Chobe river, don´t remember them from anywhere else. This one was keeping us company on the upper deck of the boat.

 

1690613738_Botswana_204_Kasane_Wire-TailedSwallow_(Rotkappenschwalbe).JPG.c1be6f39403d8cb22367d0636d196baf.JPG

 

192/B155.) Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) / Rauchschwalbe

 

By far the most common species, and probably the most numerous bird of the trip as well. Who knows, maybe this one has found its way to Austria meanwhile.

 

2057876884_Botswana_2574_Moremi_BarnSwallow_(Rauchschwalbe).JPG.8bb49fcecf69468b040606a66f82afa1.JPG

 

193/B156.) Red-Breasted Swallow (Cecropis semirufa) / Rostbrust-Rötelschwalbe

 

I don´t think I´ve ever seen this bird before, so a lifer. One sighting in Moremi, I was lucky to get a shot in. Most depart from Botswana by March/April to Equatorial Africa.

 

1224072802_Botswana_2963_Moremi_Red-BreastedSwallow_(Rostbrust-Rtelschwalbe).JPG.3aeb76ee0b2bc144f6b3a0c778b317fd.JPG

 

969463533_Botswana_2965_Moremi_Red-BreastedSwallow_(Rostbrust-Rtelschwalbe).JPG.d2e09ac50c0b6407a2e50b3702d9504a.JPG

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194/B157.) Fork-Tailed Drongo (Dicrurus adsimilis) / Trauerdrongo

 

Common throughout the trip in all areas. Another safari classic most non-birders recognize, brought to prominence by one of the BBC´s Planet Earth series where they were shown to be true tricksters, robbing Meerkats of their food my mimicking their alarm calls.

 

502109816_Botswana_4139_Kalahari_Fork-TailedDrongo_(Trauerdrongo).JPG.d13fddd04d892bd83bd4d3c546180cb1.JPG

 

This bird (from the Hotel garden in Maun) puzzled me for a while, it is a juvenile.

 

577905533_Botswana_4276_Maun_Fork-TailedDrongo_(Trauerdrongo).JPG.719e91e4bbe685f34178630f953758c5.JPG

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195/B158.) Black Cuckooshrike (Campephaga flava) / Kapraupenfänger

 

A pair seen in Moremi. Not a species you see every day, so a good tick - even though not the best photo opportunity. Male and female look very different. Cuckooshrikes are not closely related to either the Cuckoos or to the Shrikes; the name probably comes from the grey colour of many of the cuckooshrikes.

 

1158350998_Botswana_3007_Moremi_BlackCuckooshrike_(Kapraupenfnger).JPG.e6a99791ff768bda620d50250e0d87a9.JPG

 

1301697051_Botswana_3013_Moremi_BlackCuckooshrike_(Kapraupenfnger).JPG.e22e4afbf08bdde4d36fcf80c3c69c65.JPG

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196/B159.) African Golden Oriole (Oriolus auratus) / Goldpirol

 

A very frustrating species. Seen several times in Khwai and Moremi, but always far away high up in the canopy. Of course I did see one in camp, almost posing for me. But the bastard knew I had broken the most important safari rule - never walk anywhere without your camera. And it did take delight in my pain.

 

1836041670_Botswana_2066_Khwai_AfricanGoldenOriole_(Goldpirol).JPG.dcf3da9440135ff32b89acfd08592fb1.JPG

 

1793389806_Botswana_2162_Khwai_AfricanGoldenOriole_(Goldpirol).JPG.da9265bfbedcc1b056b97878ab604339.JPG

 

 

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what a haul from your Bots trip.

 

love the series of raptors and kingfishers. your photos as always are so brilliant. I'm thinking twice about putting my photos from the Bots trip, esp since the haul wasn't as big (had to pare down my BY ambitions else I'd be fed to the crocs and lions) and my photos are quite a few EBCs....

 

 

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michael-ibk

197/B160.) Arrow-Marked Babbler (Turdoides jardineii) / Weißstrichel-Schwatzhäherling

 

The most frequently seen Babbler species. Does not mind human company, also around in Maun.

 

1660519759_Botswana_4227_Maun_Arrow-MarkedBabbler_(Weistrichel-Schwatzhherling).JPG.0ca3d5d335ac41540741d564fd992422.JPG

 

198/B161.) Hartlaub´s Babbler (Turdoides hartlaubii) / Hartlaubschwatzhäherling

 

Very similar but the only Babbler in the region with a white rump. More scaly underneath. Lots of species were named after Karel Johan Gustav Hartlaub (8 November 1814 – 29 November 1900) who was a German physician and ornithologist. In 1840, he began to study and collect exotic birds, which he donated to the Bremen Natural History Museum.

 

909294309_Botswana_3525_Maun_HartlaubsBabbler_(Hartlaubschwatzhherling).JPG.460ab3e0dc3c87274fbd6a6a35921cff.JPG

 

199/B162.) Southern Pied Babbler (Turdoides bicolor) / Elsterschwatzhäherling

 

Common in Savuti but I would soon call it "the enemy" since it always refused to sit still and pose for a picture.

 

2116870527_Botswana_1585_Savuti_SouthernPiedBabbler_(Elsterschwatzhherling).JPG.d097e3589739e4972f91ea497e7136be.JPG

 

 

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200/B163.) Southern Carmine Bee-Eater (Merops nubicoides) / Scharlachspint

 

Well, I did have to save a good one for the occasion so here is one of my favourites. Very common in Savuti especially where they loved to circle around the car, making advantage of the stirred insects. They were instantly gone when we stopped so the trick was to get one in flight out of a moving vehicle.

 

914815078_Botswana_1393_Savuti_SouthernCarmineBee-Eater_(Scharlachspint).JPG.5c34d98595ce0e28fa7e6c2f854c0b50.JPG

 

6300173_Botswana_1692_Savuti_SouthernCarmineBee-Eater_(Scharlachspint).JPG.cbfd442bded3bdaa11e11fa8358f4e0c.JPG

 

1807399823_Botswana_1698_Savuti_SouthernCarmineBee-Eater_(Scharlachspint).JPG.26ce4ac51f9a48011504d6d529b18fb6.JPG

 

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Well done on reaching 200, and what a magnificent bird to achieve this.

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