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Michael´s Fifth Year


michael-ibk

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michael-ibk

153/T109.) Mottled Spinetail (Telacanthura ussheri) / Baobabsegler

 

Same place again.

 

643205770_2546_Ruaha_MottledSpinetail_(Baobabsegler)-3.jpg.4f348d215b6cd861464963d4b6d2363e.jpg

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michael-ibk

154/T110. ) Böhm´s or Bat-Like Spinetail (Neafrapus boehmi) / Fledermaussegler

 

No, not on the bridge - this singly bird was flying over the grasslands of Ruaha.

 

1694373213_2792_Ruaha_BhmsSpinetail_(Fledermaussegler).JPG.ec2c46361014aeb0d3b24c0083e083bf.JPG

 

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michael-ibk

155/T111.) African Palm Swift (Cypsiurus parvus) / Palmensegler

 

Very common. I don´t think I have noticed that before - they were particularly numerous when there was a cadaver around. Makes sense, a carcass attracts a lot of insects after all.

 

1692888763_331_Selous_AfricanPalmSwift_(Palmensegler)-3.jpg.24b41ff62d1f3924d0de4ec15a9a4a47.jpg

 

Up next (when I get around to work through the pics) - my favourite part of the book!

Edited by michael-ibk
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Splendid stuff here. Excellent sightings and ID on the hoof! Love the Batlike Spinetail BIF.

Thanks for the comment on Senegal Coucal and distribution. Based on Fanshawe I have always ticked Burchell's in southern TZ for this lookalike.

Driven by your comment I cross-checked with Sinclair's-"Birds of Africa South of Sahara" and guess what?

 He shows Senegal in South TZ with Burchell's barely getting its beak in. Dont'cha luv em?

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Wow those swift BIF shots are impressive, not the easiest shots to get 

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Dave Williams

Fabulous images...I presume you have many more to come as you have just delivered another feast.

 

As for the Senegal Coucal, it's probably the same bird across all South Africa but someone called Burchell wanted to make a name for himself.

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17 minutes ago, Dave Williams said:

but someone called Burchell wanted to make a name for himself.

Well he should have stuck to Bulbuls!! Enough there for everyone!:rolleyes:

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3 hours ago, Peter Connan said:

Lovely! Been wishing to see an Emerald for several years!

 

And you will see more of this bird :).

 

Excellent photos, as expected, Michael. 

Edited by xelas
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Peter Connan

@xelas, I presume that means you saw it in Uganda? Really wish I could have come along!

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michael-ibk

156/T112.) Speckled Mousebird (Colius striatus) / Braunflügel-Mausvogel

 

Common in the Selous particularly but not very approachable. We also saw a flock of its more attractive Blue-Naped cousin but could not get a shot.

 

813404636_1221_Selous_SpeckledMousebird_(Braunflgel-Mausvogel)-3.jpg.ec19ecb5b45e046c8a85ccaf2a3518a9.jpg

 

And no, Mousebirds are NOT my favourite chapter of the book, just kind of forgot about this one.

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michael-ibk

NOW we are getting to my favourite chapter part one - Kingfishers!

 

157/T113.) Pied Kingfisher (Ceryle rudis) / Graufischer

 

My old friend, as usually the most common Kingfisher everywhere by far. I´m afraid I kinda neglected it this time.

 

1492887501_697_Selous_PiedKingfisher_(Graufischer)-3.jpg.1bf061bc469eb1eedccde1d5c4038dce.jpg

 

 

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michael-ibk

158/T114.) Striped Kingfisher (Halycon chelicuti) / Streifenliest

 

One sighting in Udzungwa. An understated but very beautiful species I think.

 

1351747286_3766_Udzungwa_StripedKingfisher_(Streifenliest)-3a.jpg.8ec28bef512e2d9253ca4112947c0588.jpg

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michael-ibk

159/T115.) Grey-Headed Kingfisher (Halycon leucocephala) / Graukopfliest

 

Another familiar face. A couple of sightings in Ruaha and Selous, this one taken in the latter park.

 

302483640_205_Selous_Grey-HeadedKingfisher_(Graukopfliest)-3.jpg.4e3802700eb6958e14c58b6d04b6ca07.jpg

 

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michael-ibk

160/T116.) Brown-Hooded Kingfisher (Halycon albiventris) / Braunkopfliest

 

Similar in numbers to its Grey-Headed cousin, this one from the Selous also.

 

1594798778_1125_Selous_Brown-HoodedKingfisher_(Braunkopfliest)-3.jpg.df17bc481c4790c54b1069e8b4f6780e.jpg

 

 

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michael-ibk

161/T117.) Woodland Kingfisher (Halycon senegalensis) / Senegalliest

 

The wonderful trilling sound of Green Season Africa. Its call was everywhere.

 

1034652254_724_Selous_WoodlandKingfisher_(Senegalliest)-3.jpg.d626ed225deb42868f45a163a35fdd63.jpg

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michael-ibk

162/T118.) Mangrove Kingfisher (Halycon senegaloides) / Mangrovenliest

 

A lifer for me on Chole Island (a small Island next to Mafia Island). Delighted to get this, the one "blue" Kingfisher I was still missing after getting Blue-Breasted last year in Gabon. Note the completely red beak.

 

523328511_4098_Mafia_MangroveKingfisher(Mangroveliest).jpg.a6e8f7337ffe197f84057f76031b8b61.jpg

 

2112671475_4100_Mafia_MangroveKingfisher(Mangroveliest).jpg.8c3c5bde80c94bac4bb0fc611bb37239.jpg

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michael-ibk

163/T119.) Malachite Kingfisher (Alcedo cristata) / Haubenzwergfischer

 

One of the most attractive Kingfishers, and it was delightfully common in the Selous particularly where it was very approachable from the boat often.

 

545828553_633_Selous_MalachiteKingfisher_(Haubenzwergfischer)-3a.jpg.d1ecd6e067e06376eb3a718927d31da1.jpg

 

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michael-ibk

164/T120.) African Pygmy Kingfisher (Ispidina picta) / Zwergkönigsfischer

 

An avian crownpiece. Saw it right by the river in the Selous which was a bit surprising - if you look it up the books will tell you it´s not as waterbased as its cousins. Because it´s not really a "fisher", it feasts on insects. But I can confirm it´s nesting and obviously breeding in the same spots as the rest of the familiy - in holes in steep river banks.

 

1219481774_709_Selous_AfricanPygmyKingfisher_(Natalzwergfischer)-3.jpg.9465b438bfd8057302cf6910711a2d13.jpg

 

Tomorrow (or whenever) - Favourites part two.

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Real gems of nature, these kingfishers! 

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Wonderful pictures Michael, the malachite and the pygmy are stunning!

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Why am I not surprised? All up to your usual standard and most interesting they are too.

That little Pygmy is superb.

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Great Kingfisher set, Michael and excellent flight shots of the swifts!

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Great set of kingfishers, especially the pygmy 😍

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Wow!

I was impressed with the clutch of cuckoos, some of which I haven't seen before. Then came the swifts in flight, excellent work and then came the kingfishers and one of the nicest shots of an African Pygmy Kingfisher I've ever seen. 

Terrific stuff Michael.

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A superb collection of Kingfishers, really beautiful 

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