Michael´s Fifth Year

[michael-ibk]

54/T12.) Black-Headed Heron (Ardea melanocephala) / Schwarzhalsreiher

 

Only seen in Udzungwa during the actual trip. But many of them on the airport fields in DAR.

 

 

No Goliaths. One fleeting glimpse of a Purple Heron in the Selous.

Edited March 19, 2020 by michael-ibk
Wrong numbering

[michael-ibk]

55/T13.) Hamerkop (Scopus umbretta) / Hammerkopf

 

Fairly common everywhere on the mainland.

 

 

 

Edited March 19, 2020 by michael-ibk

[michael-ibk]

56/T14.) White Stork (Ciconia ciconia) / Weißsstorch

 

Only one (very) high-flying flock in Ruaha, obviously on the move. Apparently they are normally more common in this area but the locust outbreak farther North is an irrestible magnet.

 

 

Edited March 19, 2020 by michael-ibk

[michael-ibk]

57/T15.) Yellow-Billed Stork (Mycteria ibis) / Nimmersatt

 

Common in the Selous, a few scattered birds elsewhere.

 

 

 

Edited March 19, 2020 by michael-ibk
Wrong numbering

[michael-ibk]

58/T14.) African Open-Billed Stork (Anastomus lamelligerus) / Mohrenklaffschnabel

 

Very common in the Selous where we visited a huge breeding colony.

 

 

 

Apparently they are Catholic and this is their pope. Urbi and orbi. ;-)

 

Edited March 19, 2020 by michael-ibk

[michael-ibk]

59/T17.) Saddle-Billed Stork (Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis) / Sattelstorch

 

One of my favourite birds, unforunately only one very distant sighting in Ruaha.

 

 

Edited March 19, 2020 by michael-ibk
Wrong numbering

[michael-ibk]

60/T18.) Marabou Stork (Leptoptilos crumenifer) / Marabu

 

Most common in the Selous, only a few birds in Ruaha.

 

Edited March 19, 2020 by michael-ibk
Wrong numbering

[michael-ibk]

61/T19.) Hadada Ibis (Bostrychia hagedashI) / Hagedasch

 

A characteristic but not the most pleasant African noise. Common in the Selous, less so in the other places.

 

 

No Sacred Ibis around - quite odd.

Edited March 19, 2020 by michael-ibk
Wrong numbering

[michael-ibk]

62/T20.) African Spoonbill (Platalea alba) / Afrikanischer Löffler

 

Two sightings in the Selous.

 

 

Edited March 19, 2020 by michael-ibk
Wrong numbering

[michael-ibk]

63/T21.) Egyptian Goose (Alopochen aegyptiacus) / Nilgans

 

Unusually few sightings of this well-known Goose. Only two or three sightings overall. Two (unringed) birds are in my hometown Innsbruck right now, to the excitement of many local birders. I confess I can´t be bothered to go see them.

 

 

Edited March 19, 2020 by michael-ibk
Wrong numbering

[michael-ibk]

64/T22.) Knob-Billed Duck (Sarkidiornis melanotos) / Glanzente

 

Seen in the Selous. Quite a boring-looking bird often but looking great in its breeding state.

 

 

 

This already concludes the first part, the waterfowl section. A surprising lack of Ducks - not a single one apart from Mr. Knob and his girls! Even familiar faces like White-Faced Whistlers or Red-Billeds were completely absent.

Edited March 19, 2020 by michael-ibk
Wrong numbering

[xelas]

1 hour ago, michael-ibk said:

53/-.) Great Egret (Casmerodius albus) / Silberreiher

 

Your counting should be -./T10 since you have already counted this bird for BY total. Correction of all subsequent birds are needed. Edit will work. 

 

Knob-Billed Duck in breeding plumage is very photogenic bird, and your photos shows that very well!

[TonyQ]

An excellent start the your Tanzania section.

[Galana]

So at last we have lift off. That Virus cannot be all bad! Loved the idea of an Openbill at Easter.

[pedro maia]

This and other BY African series are going to help pass this awful time we are living, great pictures and maybe that Urbi et Orbi blessing will help .

Edited March 15, 2020 by pedro maia

[shazdwn]

Brilliant ‘pope’ openbill shot. Looking forward to more

[Kitsafari]

oh goody Tanzania birdies. I'm missing Africa so much. 

 

Lovely dimorphic egret in breeding plumage. 

[PeterHG]

A good start with an impressive Heron/Egret collection. Dimorphic Egret and Dwarf Bittern special ones!

[Peter Connan]

Beautiful shots, especially of the only duck!

[Zim Girl]

Nice start to your Tanzanian birds Michael.

[michael-ibk]

On 3/14/2020 at 7:49 PM, xelas said:

Your counting should be -./T10 since you have already counted this bird for BY total. Correction of all subsequent birds are needed. Edit will work. 

 

You´re really panicking this year Alex, trying to rid the competition of each and every entry. But right you are of course. I might edit later, that´s a boring job, and right now I´m in no mood for that, so I will just continue with the correct numbering.

[michael-ibk]

65/T23.) Yellow-Billed Kite (Milvus aegyptius) / Schmarotzermilan

 

I was surprised that this normally abundant bird was nowhere to be seen on the mainland. Only on Mafia (note the splendid weather there) where it was quite common.

 

 

 

 

Edited March 18, 2020 by michael-ibk

[michael-ibk]

66/T24.) African Fish Eagle (Haliaeetus vocifer) / Schreiseeadler

 

Very common in the Selous (where photo was taken), a few along the Great Ruaha river, and one on Mafia.

 

[michael-ibk]

67/T25.) Palm-Nut Vulture (Gypohierax angolensis) / Palmgeier

 

I saw hundreds of them last year in Gabon but they are much more special on the more classic safari circles. A few in the Selous, occassionally some high-flying birds in Udzungwa and two on Mafia. None of them good posers I´m afraid. A juvenile here.

 

 

[michael-ibk]

68/T26.) Western Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) / Fischadler

 

One of the most widespread birds of prey, always very cool to see. One bird in the Selous (quite cooperative), and one very distant in Mafia.