Category Archives: Bird of the week

Bird of the Week – Week 144 – Common moorhen

There are at least twenty-two birds in the southern African region that have the adjective “Common” in their name, and some of them are not common (in the sense of plentiful) at all. The Common moorhen, though, is. It is found throughout the region, save for the dry central Kalahari, occurring on most bodies of fresh water with appropriate vegetation. Outside the region they have quite an extensive worldwide distribution, although they are absent from Australia.

The male and female Common moorhen are alike in plumage colouration and the male is a little larger than the female, with a length of approximately 34 cm. They are predominantly black, with an olive-brown rump; white flank stripe and red frontal shield. The bill is red with a yellow tip; eyes are red; legs and feet are yellow.

Generally found in small groups, or as solitary birds, they forage while swimming, walking on floating vegetation or on land. They feed on plants and berries as well as on insects, tadpoles and the like. Common moorhens utter a range of clucking sounds, and call in a high-pitched “krrrik”.

Common moorhens are monogamous and they build a shallow bowl nest of plant material, which is usually well concealed in the reeds or other vegetation near the water’s edge. The female lays a clutch of between four and eight eggs that hatch after an incubation period of approximately 21 days.

The scientific binomial for the Common moorhen is Gallinula chloropus; Gallinula from the Latin for “a small hen”; and chloropus from the Latin for a “green foot”. Thus the name describes a little hen with green feet; a little odd as its feet are more yellow than green. It does have a relative, though, the Lesser moorhen that really does have green(ish) feet.

Bird of the Week – Week 143 – White-fronted bee-eater

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The bee-eaters are a delightful family of birds and the White-fronted bee-eater is one of the few members of the family that can be found fairly commonly within its territory throughout the year. Its preferred habitat is along riverbanks in the north-east of the southern African region, where it is gregarious and usually to be found in groups of varying size.

With a fairly average size, as bee-eaters in the region go, with a length of approximately 23 cm, the sexes are similar in both size and plumage colouration. They have predominantly green upper parts; white forehead; a red throat with an upper band of white; brown under parts and a blue vent. Eyes are dark brown; legs and feet are dark grey and the curved bill is black.

White-fronted bee-eaters forage predominantly from a perch, and feed almost entirely on insects such a honey bees, flies, moths and butterflies. They may hawk the insects in flight, or take them up from the ground or foliage without alighting. They return to the perch to feed, carefully removing the sting from the honey bees before consuming it.

White-fronted bee-eaters are monogamous and pairs appear to mate for life. Their nest is in a burrow up to one metre long that they excavate in river banks. The female lays a cluth of between two and five white eggs that hatch after an incubation period of approximately 21 days. The nests may be parasitized by the Greater honeyguide (Indicator indicator).

The scientific binomial for the White-fronted bee-eater is Merops bullockoides; Merops from the Greek for the bee-eater, and bullockoides from the Latin for resembling Merops bullocki, the Red-throated bee-eater which in turn was named after William Bullock. Thus the name tells us that this bee-eater looks similar to another bee-eater, which is singularly unhelpful.

Bird of the Week – Week 141 – Crested barbet

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The Crested barbet is fairly common in the north-eastern parts of the southern African region, where it favours drier woodland especially areas with plenty of acacias. They also seem to be quite comfortable in camp sites and in parks and gardens. (Check out our blog about a silly Crested barbet at Kalizo Lodge in Namibia.)

The Crested barbet is the largest of the barbets in the region, with a length of approximately 24 cm. It has a yellow head, speckled with red and surmounted by a black crest. Underparts are yellow, save for a black chest band spotted with white. Wings and tail are black spotted with white; legs and feet are grey-black; bill is pale yellow with a black tip; eyes are brownish-red. Males and females are similar in size, but are less brightly coloured.

The Crested barbet’s loud and sustained trilling “tr-r-r-r-r-r-r-r” is often heard before the bird itself is sighted. Both the males and females sing, and on occasion this rather unmusical song takes the form of a duet.

Crested barbets forage mainly on the ground, feeding on termites, grasshoppers and other insects as well as snails, but it is omnivorous and also feeds on fruit and nectar.

These barbets are monogamous and generally make a nest hole in a dead tree stump or other convenient place, but may also take over the nests of other hole-nesters such as Red-throated wrynecks (Jynx ruficollis). In suburbia they may nest in nest boxes. The female lays a clutch of two to five eggs that hatch after an incubation period of approximately 17 days. Their nests may be parasitized by the Greater honeyguide (Indicator indicator) or the Lesser honeyguide (Indicator minor).

The scientific binomial for the Crested barbet is Trachyphonus vaillantii; Trachyphonus from the Greek for a “rough voice”; and vaillantii after the ornithologist Francois Le Vaillant who travelled in South Africa in the late 1700’s. I don’t know about the “rough-voice” in the case of the Crested barbet, but it is nice to see the earlier pioneer ornithologists honoured in this way.

Bird of the Week – Week 140 – Montiero’s hornbill

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The Montiero’s hornbill is a near-endemic to Namibia and its range is limited to central and north-west Namibia, spilling outside the southern African region only into the southern part of Angola. It is the largest of the seven Tockus hornbills in the region, with a length of approximately 54 cm; the males being slightly larger than the females and having a larger bill.

The sexes are alike in plumage colouration, with dark grey head, neck and upper breast; brown back and tail; wing coverts spotted with white; and white belly and vent. The large curved bill is red; eyes are brown; legs are black.

Although the Montiero’s hornbills track the rain within their range, they occupy a drier habitat than any of the other hornbills. Their preferred habitat is the usually dry waterways through the stony escarpment and the flatter areas of central Namibia. Their call, sometimes taking the form of a duet, consists of a series of deep clucking sounds.

Montiero’s hornbills feed mainly 0n insects and other invertebrates, chameleons, lizards, bird’s eggs and fledglings. They also eat fruit, seeds and flowers, and use their large bills to dig for roots and tubers.

Montiero’s hornbills are monogamous and as with most other hornbills, the female seals herself into a cavity in a tree or rock face when breeding, remaining in this chamber until the young birds are ready to leave. The male is kept busy ferrying food to the nest throughout this time. The female lays a clutch of between two and eight white eggs that hatch after an incubation period of approximately 25 days.

The scientific binomial for the Montiero’s hornbill is Tockus monteiri; Tockus being a Latin-derived imitation of the call of the Southern yellow-billed hornbill; and monteiri after Joachim Monteiro who collected specimens of birds in Angola in the 1860’s and 1870’s. So it is just a name, really, and reveals nothing about the bird itself.

Bird of the Week – Week 139 – White-tailed shrike

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The White-tailed shrike is a pretty little bird and one of the few that is near endemic to Namibia. The males and females have similar grey, white and black plumage, which, together with a very upright stance, makes them look as though they are wearing very formal waistcoats. The females are slightly larger than the males. They are usually found in pairs or small groups and are often quite tame.

The White-tailed shrike is quite small as shrikes go, with a length of about 15 cm. It has a black head with a white forehead. It has a grey mantle and waistcoat; a black breast band separates the white throat from the white under parts; wings are black with large white patches; the short tail is white. The eyes are yellow; bill is black; legs and feet are black.

The preferred habitat of the White-tailed shrike is dry woodland such as acacia and mopane, especially that which includes rocky outcrops or steep hillsides. It feeds mainly on insects, caterpillars, and spiders, which it obtains mainly through gleaning in trees or foraging on the ground. It is not a shy bird, and will often visit campsites, parks and gardens.

The call of the male White-tailed shrike is a loud “pie-ouuww” which may be repeated several times and which is often answered by the female calling a single “tshrrr”.

White-tailed shrikes are monogamous and they build a deep cup-shaped nest, usually from strips of bark interwoven with spider webs. The female lays a clutch of two to three whitish-grey eggs that hatch after an incubation period of approximately 15 days.

The scientific binomial for the White-tailed shrike is Lanioturdus torquatus; Lanioturdus from the Latin for “shrike like a thrush”; and torquatus from the Latin for “collared”. Thus the name describes a thrush-like shrike that has a collar, which is not a bad description, although it really looks more like a batis in a waistcoat than a thrush with a collar.

Bird of the Week – Week 138 – Marabou stork

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Not wishing to be unkind, but the Marabou stork is surely one of the ugliest birds that you are likely to see in southern Africa, reminiscent of a mournful undertaker stalking slowly through the veld!

It is a large bird, with a length of approximately 1.50 metres and the males are slightly larger than the females although they are alike in plumage. The head and neck is largely without feathers, being naked pink skin with just a few thin black plumes. The mantle and back is bluish-grey; the ruff and under parts are white and the large, bulbous air sac is pink. Eyes are brown, bill is pale horn mottled with black; legs and feet are black. The black legs and feet are often rendered white by a coating of the bird’s excrement.

Marabou storks are fairly widespread in the southern African region, with populations found in fairly arid areas as well as wetlands and well watered areas. They are absent from deserts and forests, but often frequent rubbish dumps on the outskirts of towns.

Marabou storks are mainly scavengers, feeding on a wide variety of animal carcasses – we have seen them on carcasses as large as that of an elephant, but also hunting and killing a range of fresh food. It is a competent fisherman, walking in shallow water with its bill partially submerged as it searches for fish. On land it hunts rats and mice, other small animals and birds. Perhaps surprisingly, it will eat the eggs of crocodiles and even young crocodiles.

Although they are gregarious birds, often seen in flocks, Marabou storks are usually silent when away from their nests. When at their nests, they may utter a series of squeals, whistles and grunts.

Marabou storks are monogamous and build a large stick platform-nest, usually placing it in a tree over water. The female lays a clutch of between one and four chalky-white eggs that hatch after an incubation period of approximately 30 days.

The scientific binomial for the Marabou stork is Leptoptilos crumeniferus; Leptoptilos from the Greek for “thin plumes”; and crumeniferus from the Latin for a “leather pouch”, presumably referring to the bulbous air sac. Thus a bird with thin plumes and a leather pouch, which may be accurate, but is hardly descriptive of this solemn-looking stork.

Bird of the Week – Week 137 – Swamp boubou

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The range of the Swamp boubou in southern Africa is restricted to the northern river systems of Namibia and Botswana, and within this area it is very likely to be heard before it is seen. Although it is fairly common, it is a shy, skulking bird and occupies well-vegetated areas along rivers, streams and flood plains.

The Swamp boubou is very vocal, the distinctive call is usually a duet initiated by the male calling a whistling “whhaww” to which the female immediately responds with a rattling “kiki-kaka-krrr”. The two birds call so closely together it sounds almost as though it is a single bird. The pair will often sit close together on a fairly exposed perch while calling.

The Swamp boubou is quite a big shrike, having a length of approximately 25 cm and the sexes are alike in both size and plumage coloration. The upper parts and the tail are glossy black, the under parts are white, and they have a distinctive white wing-stripe. Eyes are dark brown; bill is black; legs and feet are bluish-grey.

Swamp boubous feed mainly on insects, which they hunt on the ground or glean from trees and other vegetation, and also on fruit.

They are monogamous and make a nest in the shape of a shallow bowl, constructing it from twigs and roots. It is usually placed two or three metres above the ground in quite dense vegetation. The female lays a small clutch of as few as two greenish, speckled eggs and the incubation period is not known.

The scientific binomial for the Swamp boubou is Laniarius bicolor; Laniarius from the Latin for “butcher”; and bicolor from the Latin for “two coloured”. Thus the name describes a two coloured butcher, of which at least the two colours is totally accurate.

Bird of the Week – Week 136 – Tawny-flanked prinia

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The Tawny-flanked prinia is a fairly common bird within the wetter eastern part of the southern African region, where it is often seen in pairs or small groups in its favoured habitat – the grass and low shrubs alongside watercourses – where it may be quite conspicuous. It also frequents gardens and parks where the vegetation is suitable.

The Tawny-flanked prinia is a small bird, with a length of approximately 13 cm. The sexes are alike in both size and plumage coloration. The upper parts are pale greyish-brown; the eyebrow is off-white; the ear coverts are grey; the underparts and flanks are buffy; the graduated tail is brown. The bill is black; the eyes are pale brown; the bill is black; legs and feet are pinkish-brown.

Tawny-flanked prinias usually forage on bare ground, although they may hawk insects from the air. They feed mainly on invertebrates such as beetles, flies, caterpillars and termites. They may also feed on nectar, particular that of aloes.

Their call is a monotonous “przzzt- przzzt- przzzt”.

Tawny-flanked prinias are monogamous and they build a pear shaped nest with a side entrance placed near the top. The female lays a clutch of two to five eggs, varying in colour from pale buff to pink to greenish-blue. The eggs hatch after an incubation period of approximately 14 days. The nest may be parasitized by the Cuckoo finch (Anomalospiza imberbis).

The scientific binomial for the Tawny-flanked prinia is Prinia subflava; Prinia from the Javanese name for a prinia, and flavicans from the Latin for “almost yellow”. Thus the name describes a prinia that is almost yellow, which is accurate enough if somewhat unimaginative.

Bird of the Week – Week 135 – Lesser grey shrike

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The Lesser grey shrike is one of the non-breeding summer visitors to the southern African region, spending the balance of the year in the process of migrating and in its breeding grounds in Europe and Asia. It is a medium-sized shrike with a length of approximately 21 cm, and has a grey crown and back; a black mask that covers its forehead and the sides of its face; black wings and tail; grey rump; white throat and pale pink to white under parts. Eyes are brown; bill is black; legs and feet are brown or dark grey. The sexes are similar in size, but the females have duller plumage and a narrower face mask than the males.

The Lesser grey shrikes favour the drier areas within the region, being fairly common in Namibia, Botswana and the northern parts of South Africa. It is a solitary bird and is often seen perched on a branch or other vantage point patiently watching and waiting to feed. It usually takes its prey on the ground, swooping down from its perch, although it may also hawk insects from the air. It feeds mainly on insects and termites. Although it may sometimes impale its prey on a thorn or other convenient hook, it does not store food in a “larder”.

The call of the Lesser grey shrike is a harsh “geer-geer-shrik-shrik” often given when chasing intruders from its self-proclaimed territory. It also has a quieter, more pleasant song made up of a warbling chatter.

The Lesser grey shrikes do not breed within the region, although pairs may form during their time in southern Africa.

The scientific binomial for the Lesser grey shrike is Lanius minor; Lanius from the Latin for “a butcher”; and minor from the Latin for “small”. Thus the name describes a small butcher, which captures the bird’s diet, but it is not particularly small as shrikes go.

Bird of the Week – Week 134 – Kurrichane thrush

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The Kurrichane thrush is fairly common within the north-eastern part of the southern African region and they are often to be seen hopping about in the undergrowth. Their preferred habitat includes woodland, riverine bush and parks and gardens that have sufficient ground cover. Its range is expanding due to its adaptation to the man-modified environment.

Kurrichane thrushes have a length of approximately 23 cm and the sexes are alike in both size and plumage. They have grey upper parts and tail; the throat is white with a distinctive dark malar stripe; the upper breast is grey-brown; under parts are orange and the vent is cream. The bill is bright orange; eyes are brown with an orange eye ring; legs and feet are orange.

The Kurrichane thrush is usually found singly and forages mainly on the ground, feeding on insects and some fruit. It may also hawk insects from the air.

The call of the Kurrichane thrush is a series of loud and tuneful whistled notes.

The Kurrichane thrush is monogamous and they build a nest of grass and fine roots onto a mud base. The whole nest may be lined with mud. The female lays a clutch of one to four pale green to blue eggs eggs that hatch after an incubation period of approximately thirteen days.

The scientific binomial for the Kurrichane thrush is Turdus libonyana; Turdus from the Latin for “a thrush”, and libonyana being a derived from a tribal name in the Tswana language. Thus the name describes a thrush associated with the Tswana people, which is probably not as odd as it sounds.

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Category Archives: Bird of the week

Bird of the Week – Week 144 – Common moorhen

Bird of the Week – Week 143 – White-fronted bee-eater

Bird of the Week – Week 141 – Crested barbet

Bird of the Week – Week 140 – Montiero’s hornbill

Bird of the Week – Week 139 – White-tailed shrike

Bird of the Week – Week 138 – Marabou stork

Bird of the Week – Week 137 – Swamp boubou

Bird of the Week – Week 136 – Tawny-flanked prinia

Bird of the Week – Week 135 – Lesser grey shrike

Bird of the Week – Week 134 – Kurrichane thrush