Africa Wild

658. Barred Wren-Warbler Calamonastes fasciolatus

Identification
Small warbler. Length 15 cm.
Breeding male: Brown crown and back, dark brown throat and upper breast, remainder of underparts buffy white barred grey. Brown eye, black bill, pink legs.
Female and non-breeding male: Similar to the breeding male, but all under parts are brownish white barred dusky (except plain brown undertail coverts).

by Michele Nel
Mata Mata, 07/01/2016

886. Cinnamon-Breasted Bunting (Rock Bunting) Emberiza tahapisi

Identification
Length 15 cm.
Adult male: Head boldly striped black and white; mantle to upper tail coverts cinnamon with dark brown markings.Tail and flight feathers dark brown, edged cinnamon. Underparts cinnamon.
Adult female: Similar to the male, but paler; above less reddish.

by Michelle Nel
Auchterlonie, 31/12/2015

543. Eurasian Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus

Identification
24 cm. Male easily identified by golden-yellow head and body, black lores, and black wings and tail. In flight, the whole wing appears black.
Female and Juvenile are yellowy-green, with paler underparts; wings and tail are darker.

by Michelle Nel
Urikaruus, 30/12/2015

688. Rufous-Eared Warbler Malcorus pectoralis

Identification
Length 14-16 cm. Prinia-like; has a very long, thin tail. The streaked, non-rufous crown contrasts with reddish ear coverts (this distinguishes it from other southern African warblers). Underparts are white with buffy flanks and a narrow, black breast band.

by Michelle Nel
Auchterlonie, 28/12/2015

386. Diderick Cuckoo Chrysococcyx caprius

Identification
A striking metallic greeny-bronze bird with a red eye. Underside is white centrally but barred dark on flanks.
Juveniles and females can occur in a much more reddish plumage.


Marie se Gat - Jan 2014

446. European Roller Coracias garrulous

Identification
Size: 31 cm; sexes alike. Blue head, square tail with no tail streamers and light brown back distinguish it from Lilac-breasted Roller. Distinct demarcation between blue nape and brown mantle. In flight, bright azure blue underwing contrasts with blackish primaries.
Juvenile: Duller than adult, more olivaceous green than blue, and throat brownish.


Near Mata Mata, February 2013

406. Rufous-cheeked Nightjar Caprimulgus rufigena

Identification
23-24 cm. A sexually dimorphic nightjar.
Greyish-brown upperparts streaked blackish-brown. Buff or tawny-buff narrow nuchal collar. Greyish-brown wing-coverts, with tawny and buff spots, with broad buffish line along scapulars. White throat patch. Greyish-brown underparts with buff spots, becoming buff barred brown on belly and flanks.
Males with large white spots on four outermost primaries and white tips on two outermost tail feathers.
Females with smaller white wing spots tinged tawny and buff tips to two outermost tail feathers.

by Michele Nel
On night drive from Mata Mata - Dec 2014

301. Double-banded Courser Rhinoptilus africanus

Identification
Size: 24 cm; sexes alike. The 2 double breast bands very conspicuous from front. From rear looks like a long-legged plover. In flight white rump and chestnut flight feathers diagnostic. Legs and feet greyish white.
Juvenile: Lacks the 2 chest bands until 3 months' old; more mottled above.

by nan
27.2.2016 - top dune road

by Michele Nel
North of Langklaas - Jan 2016

862. Long-tailed Paradise-Whydah Vidua paradisaea

Identification
Breeding male: Black back and head. Rust brown breast. Yellow nape. White belly. Long (36 cm) black tail feathers.
Non breeding male: Brown. Black streaked head.
Female: Grey above with black streaks. Brown head. Pale grey breast. White belly.

by Michele Nel
Kwang - Jan 2016

by nan
Breeding male, Aoub river - north of Kiliekrankie - 25.2.2016

089. Marabou Stork Leptoptilos crumeniferus

Identification
Large size and shape distinctive. The large bulbous pendant air sac may be up to 350 mm in size when inflated; a second orange-red air sac is partly hidden beneath the white ruff at base of neck, and only visible when inflated.
Juvenile: Wing feathers dark brown; first-year birds more feathered on the head.

by nan
Grootkolk - 18.1.2016


by Michele Nel
Seen at Polentswa 10/02/2022
There were in fact hordes of Marabous in the park . I saw 38 on one day and I met up with another birder that had actually seen 98 at one sighting.