Shikra (Roberts, 7th ed.)
Little Banded Goshawk (Roberts, 6th ed.)
Accipiter badius
Roberts No. 159



Mystery at Buffelshoek Dam ~ 5:17 min.
Photo and video taken August 5, 2007, Djuma, Sabi Sands, SA, WildEarth Game Drive

"The Shikra has a height of 30 cms and weighs around 125 gms. The head is coloured grey while the bill is coloured grey. The Accipiter badius has a grey coloured throat, yellow legs and a grey coloured back. The eyes are red." (1)

Here is a photograph of the Shirka (2)

References:
(1) Birds of Southern Africa: http://www.birdsinsa.com/birds/accipiterbadius.htm
(2) Djuma Game Reserve, Bird Gallery: http://www.djuma.com/bird_lbandedgos.php

Green Wood-Hoopoe (Roberts, 7th ed.)
Red-billed Wood-Hoopoe (Roberts, 6th ed.)
Phoeniculus purpureus
Roberts No. 452



Video: Green (Red-billed) Wood-Hoopoe ~ 1:08 min.
Photo and video clip by 'CJ' taken October 11, 2007, Djuma, Sabi Sands, SA, WildEarth Game Drive.


Photo by 'emptynester69' taken Jan. 28, 2008, Djuma, Sabi Sands, SA, WildEarth Game Drive


Photo by 'emc' taken January 28, 2008, Sabi Sands, SA, WildEarth Game Drive

"The Green Wood-Hoopoe has a height of 34 cms and weighs around 83 gms. The head is coloured blue-green while the bill is coloured red. The Phoeniculus purpureus has a blue-green coloured throat, red legs and a purplish-black coloured back. The eyes are brown."(1) The juvenile has a black bill.

References:
(1) Birds of Southern Africa: http://www.birdsinsa.com/birds/phoeniculuspurpureus.htm
(2) Photo: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Wood_Hoopoe

African Scops-Owl
Otus sengalensis
Roberts No. 396



Video: African Scops-Owl ~ 2:19 min.
Photo and video clip August 6, 2007, Djuma, Sabi Sands, SA, WildEarth Game Drive.

"The African Scops-Owl has a height of 18 cms and weighs around 65 gms. The head is coloured grey while the bill is coloured black. The Otus senegalensis has a white coloured throat, brown legs and a grey coloured back. The eyes are yellow."(1)

Reference:
(1) Birds of Southern Africa: http://www.birdsinsa.com/birds/otussenegalensis.htm

African Barred Owlet (Roberts, 7th ed.)
Barred Owl (Roberts, 6th ed.)
Glaucidium capense
Roberts No. 399



Video: African Barred Owlet ~ 2:44 min.
Photo and video clip August 4, 2007, Djuma, Sabi Sands, SA, WildEarth Game Drive.

"The African Barred Owlet has a height of 21 cms and weighs around 115 gms. The head is coloured grey, brown while the bill is coloured grey, green. The Glaucidium capense has a brown coloured throat, white legs and a grey coloured back. The eyes are yellow."(1)

Reference:
(1) Birds of Southern Africa: http://www.birdsinsa.com/birds/glaucidiumcapense.htm

============

For comparison, included is a picture and video of the Pearl Spotted Owl (Glaucidium perlatum) (Roberts, 6th ed.) whose name has been changed to Pearl Spotted Owlet (Roberts, 7th ed.) [Roberts No. 398]. They are very similar and the name change of both from "owl" to "owlet" is probably because they are both so small. In the video clip of the Barred Owlet, Pieter at first thought it was a Pearl Spotted Owlet, but describes the main difference.


Click on picture for video of Pearl Spotted Owlet (3:40 min.)
Picture and video clip September 28, 2007, Djuma, Sabi Sands, SA, WildEarth Game Drive.

White-crested Helmet-Shrike (Roberts, 7th ed.)
White Helmet-Shrike (Roberts, 6th ed.)
Prionops plumatus
Roberts No. 753



Video:
White-crested Helmet-Shrike ~ 34 sec.
Picture and video taken by 'CJ' on 10/17/08 at Djuma, Sabi Sands, SA, WildEarth Game Drive

"The White-crested Helmet-Shrike has a height of 19 cms and weighs around 33 gms. The head is coloured grey while the bill is coloured black. The Prionops plumatus has a white coloured throat, orange legs and a grey coloured back. The eyes are yellow."(1)

Here is a photograph of the White-crested Helmet-Shrike.(2)

References:
(1) Birds of Southern Africa: http://www.birdsinsa.com/birds/prionopsplumatus.htm
(2) Djuma Bird Gallery: http://www.djuma.com/bird_shrike1.php

Blue Waxbill
Uraeginthus angolensis
Roberts No. 844





Video: Blue Waxbills ~ 1:18 min.
Photo and video clip October 19, 2007, Djuma, Sabi Sands, SA, WildEarth Game Drive.


Photo taken by 'eiguoc' on March 19, 2009, Djuma, Sabi Sands, SA, WildEarth Game Drive.

"The Blue Waxbill has a height of 13 cms and weighs around 10 gms. The head is coloured brown while the bill is coloured black. The Uraeginthus angolensis has a brown coloured throat, grey legs and a brown coloured back. The eyes are brown." (1)

Here is a good photograph of the Blue Waxbill (2)

References:
(1) Birds of Southern Africa: http://www.birdsinsa.com/birds/uraegint ... lensis.htm
(2) Photo: http://www.graybirds.net/index.php?opti ... itstart=14

Red-breasted Swallow
Hirundo semirufa
Roberts No. 524



Video clip: Red-breasted Swallows ~ 34 sec.

Photo & video clip taken by 'CJ' on 10/15/2008 at Djuma, Sabi Sands, SA, WildEarth Game Drive

"The Red-breasted Swallow has a height of 24 cms and weighs around 31 gms. The head is coloured blue, black while the bill is coloured black. The Hirundo semirufa has a grey coloured throat, black legs and a blue, black coloured back. The eyes are brown."(1)

Here are two excellent photographs of the Red-breasted Swallow.(2)

References:
(1) Birds of Southern Africa: http://www.birdsinsa.com/birds/hirundosemirufa.htm
(2) Greg Lasley: http://www.greglasley.net/redbreastedswal.html

Violet-backed Starling (Roberts,7th ed.)
Plum-coloured Starling (Roberts, 6th ed,)
Cinnyricinclus leucogaster
Roberts No. 761


Taken by 'BBE' on Oct. 21 /07 at Pete's Pond (Mashatu Game Reserve, Botswana)





Video: Violet-backed (Plum-coloured) Starling ~ 34 sec.
Video taken by 'Skipper' on 11/27/08 at Djuma, Sabi Sands, SA, WildEarth Game Drive

The Violet-backed Starling is about the size of a house sparrow (1) It has a height of 18 cms and weighs around 45 gms (about the size of a house sparrow). The head is coloured purple while the bill is coloured black. The Cinnyricinclus leucogaster has a purple coloured throat, black legs and a purple coloured back. The eyes are brown. (2)


References :
(1) http://www.thekruger.com/cinnyricinclusleucogaster/
(2) http://www.birdsinsa.com/birds/cinnyric ... gaster.htm

Brown Snake-Eagle
Circaetus cinereus
Roberts No. 142



Video: Brown Snake-Eagle ~ 2:47 min.
Photo and video clip October 30, 2007, Djuma, Sabi Sands, SA, WildEarth Game Drive.

"The Brown Snake-Eagle has a height of 76 cms and weighs around 2000 gms. The head is coloured brown while the bill is coloured black. The Circaetus cinereus has a white coloured throat, yellow legs and a brown coloured back. The eyes are yellow."(1)

Here are two great photographs of the Brown Snake-Eagle.(2)

References:
(1) Birds of Southern Africa: http://www.birdsinsa.com/birds/circaetuscinereus.htm
(2) Greg Lasley: http://www.greglasley.net/brownsnakeagle.html

Spectacled Weaver
Ploceus ocularis
Roberts No. 810


Photo taken by 'Wile1' at Pete's Pond, Mashatu Game Reserve, Botswana

Video of Spectacled Weaver ~ 13 sec.
Taken by 'BBE' at Pete's Pond, Mashatu Game Reserve, Botswana

"The Spectacled Weaver has a height of 15 cms and weighs around 30 gms. The head is coloured chestnut while the bill is coloured brown. The Ploceus ocularis has a white coloured throat, brown legs and a chestnut coloured back. The eyes are brown."(1)

Reference:
(1) Birds of Southern Africa: http://www.birdsinsa.com/birds/ploceusocularis.htm

Yellow-crowned Bishop (Roberts, 7th ed.)
Golden Bishop (Roberts, 6th ed.)
Euplectes afer
Roberts No. 826




Photos taken by 'BBE' Nov.10, 2007 at Mashatu Game Reserve, Botswana


Taken Nov. 23, 2007 by 'BBE' at Mashatu Game Reserve, Botswana, Africa

Yellow-crowned Bishops ~ 26 sec.

The Yellow-crowned Bishop (same family group as Weavers and Queleas) is an extremely small bird; about half the size of a house sparrow.(1) The height of the Yellow-crowned Bishop is about 11 cms and its weight is about 15 gms. The head is coloured yellow; while the bill is coloured brown. The Euplectes afer has a black coloured throat, black legs and a yellow coloured back.(2)


References:
(1) http://www.thekruger.com/euplectesafer/
(2) http://www.birdsinsa.com/birds/euplectesafer.htm

Diderick Cuckoo (Roberts, 7th ed.)
Diederik Cuckoo (Roberts, 6th ed.)
Chrysococcyx caprius
Roberts No. 386







Photos taken at Pete's Pond, Mashatu game reserve, Botswana

Video . . . Diedrick Cuckoo ~ 19 sec.
Video taken by 'Skipper' at Pete's Pond, Mashatu G.R., Botswana - NG

"The Diderick Cuckoo has a height of 20 cms and weighs around 35 gms. The head is coloured green while the bill is coloured black. The Chrysococcyx caprius has a white coloured throat, grey legs and a green coloured back. The eyes are red."(1)

Reference:
(1) Birds of Southern Africa: http://www.birdsinsa.com/birds/chrysococcyxcaprius.htm

Grey Heron
Ardea cinerea
Roberts No. 62


Taken by 'BBE' on August 17, 2007 at Mashatu Game Reserve, Botswana, Africa


12/16/08 by 'CJ' at Djuma, Sabi Sands, SA, WildEarth Game Drive

Video:
Grey Heron ~ 4:16 min.
Video taken by 'CJ' on 1/4/08 at Djuma, Sabi Sands, SA, WildEarth Game Drive

The Grey Heron has a height of 98 cms and weighs around 1020 gms. The head is coloured white and black, while the bill is coloured grey/white. The Ardea cinerea has a grey, black coloured throat, long and grey/white legs and a brown coloured back. The eyes are yellow. (1) The heron's call is a loud croaking "fraaank".(2)


References:
(1) http://www.birdsinsa.com/birds/ardeacinerea.htm
(2) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grey_Heron

Black-crowned Night-Heron (Roberts 7th ed.)
Black-crowned Night Heron (Roberts 6th ed.)
Nycticorax nycticorax
Roberts No. 76






Pictures taken by 'DB53' on 12/15/08 at Pete's Pond, Mashatu Game Reserve, Botswana, by NG

Black-crowned Night-Heron stalking ~ 2:24 min.
(A Black-winged Stilt is the bird crossing in front of the Night-Heron.)
Video taken by 'emc' on 12/3/08 at Pete's Pond, Mashatu Game Reserve, Botswana, by NG

The Black-crowned Night-Heron has a height of 56 cms and weighs around 680 gms. The head is coloured black, white while the bill is coloured yellow. The Nycticorax nycticorax has a white coloured throat, yellow legs and a brown, black coloured back. The eyes are orange. This bird is a noctunal feeder and is able to forage in the dark because of the enhanced night vision. (1)

Additional photos are to be found in reference (2) and (3)
References:
(1) http://www.birdsinsa.com/birds/nycticoraxnycticorax.htm
(2) http://www.kenyabirds.org.uk/heron_n.htm
(3) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black-crowned_Night_Heron

Comparison of the Green-backed and Black-crowned Night-Herons

These two are diffcult to tell apart. Many 'Pondies', on the morning of Nov.24, 2007 thought they were seeing a Green-backed (Striated) Heron; when in fact it was one we'd not seen before, namely a Black-crowned Night-Heron.

I have underlined the differences between them; which include:

• the Night-Heron is the larger of the two
• and there are colour differences in their bills, legs and eyes.

Green-backed Heron:

BBE's photo from 2006 season

The Green-backed Heron has a height of 41 cms and weighs around 215 gms. The head is coloured black; and the bill is also black. The Butorides striata has a white coloured throat, has orange legs and a black / grey coloured back. The eyes are yellow

References:
1. http://www.birdsinsa.com/birds/butoridesstriata.htm
2. Pictures:

1. http://www.kenyabirds.org.uk/green-backed_heron.htm
2. http://webserv.nhl.nl/~ribot/english/bust_ng.htm
3. http://www.greglasley.net/striatedheron.html

Black-crowned Night-Heron:

Taken by 'euguoc' 12/11/08 at Pete's Pond, Mashatu Game Reserve, Botswana

The Black-crowned Night-Heron has a height of 56 cms and weighs around 680 gms. The head is coloured black / white while the bill is yellow. The Nycticorax nycticorax has a white coloured throat, yellow legs and a brown / black coloured back. The eyes are orange.

References:
1. http://www.birdsinsa.com/birds/nycticoraxnycticorax.htm
2. Pictures:

1. http://www.kenyabirds.org.uk/heron_n.htm
2. http://webserv.nhl.nl/~ribot/english/
3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black-crowned_Night_Heron

Grey Go-away-bird (Grey Lourie)


Picture taken by 'eiguoc' on 12/11/08 at Djuma, Sabi Sands, SA, WildEarth Game Drive

large bird, plain grey all over with a long crest on its head.

Speckled Mousebird

By 'emc'

Has a very long tail

African Pied Wagtail
Motacilla aguimp
Roberts No. 711



Video clip: African Pied Wagtail ~ 59 seconds
Photo and video November 22, 2007, Djuma, Sabi Sands, SA, WildEarth Game Drive.

"The African Pied Wagtail has a height of 20 cms and weighs around 27 gms. The head is coloured black, grey while the bill is coloured black. The Motacilla aguimp has a white coloured throat, black legs and a brown coloured back. The eyes are brown."(1)

Here is a photograph for a closer look at the African Pied Wagtail.(2)

References:
(1) Birds of Southern Africa: http://www.birdsinsa.com/birds/motacillaaguimp.htm
(2) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_Pied_Wagtail

Purple Roller
Coracias naevia
Roberts No. 449






Photos taken by 'Wile1' at Djuma Game Reserve, Sabi Sands, SA, WildEarth Game Drive



Video:
Purple Roller ~ 1:44 min.
Picture and video taken by 'CJ' on 9/10/08 at Djuma, Sabi Sands, SA, WildEarth Game Drive

The Purple Roller is about 35 to 40 cm long and both sexes look alike...Its large and stalky and in poor light looks dark brown. True color : Head is green - Eyes are brown- Bill is black - Legs are brown - Throat is purple - Back is blue

Reference:
Kruger National Park, South Africa Safari and Lodging Guide: http://www.krugerpark.co.za/africa_purple_roller.html

Barn Swallow (Roberts, 7th ed.)
European Swallow (Roberts, 6th ed.)
Hirundo rustica
Roberts No. 518


Picture taken by 'Bociany' at Pete's Pond, Mashatu Game Reserve, Botswana, 12/2007


Barn Swallows

Video: Barn Swallow ~ 44 sec.
Picture and video taken by 'Skipper' on 12/4/07 at Pete's Pond, Mashatu Game Reserve, Botswana

"The Barn Swallow has a height of 20 cms and weighs around 18 gms. The head is coloured chestnut while the bill is coloured black. The Hirundo rustica has a black, brown coloured throat, black legs and a chestnut coloured back. The eyes are brown."(1)

Reference:
(1) http://www.birdsinsa.com/birds/hirundorustica.htm

Southern White-faced Scops-Owl (Roberts, 7th ed.)
Ptilopsis granti
White-faced Owl (Roberts, 6th ed.)
Otus leucotis
Roberts No. 397



Video clip: Southern White-faced Scops-Owl Having a Snack
Picture and video taken by CJ - Djuma, Sabi Sands, SA, WildEarth Game Drive


Picture taken by 'CJ' on 3/14/09 at Djuma, Sabi Sands, SA, WildEarth Game Drive

"The Southern White-faced Scops-Owl has a height of 28 cms and weighs around 190 gms. The head is coloured grey while the bill is coloured grey. The Ptilopsis granti has a white coloured throat, white legs and a grey, black coloured back. The eyes are yellow.""(1)

Reference:
(1) Birds of Southern Africa: http://www.birdsinsa.com/birds/ptilopsisgranti.htm
(2) Photograph: http://www.owls.org/Species/ptilopsis/s ... ed_owl.htm

Red-headed Finch
Amadina erythrocephala
Roberts No. 856

Female:



Photos taken by 'BBE' Dec.2 /07 at Pete's Pond - Mashatu Game Reserve, Botswana

Male:


VIDEO of Male Red-head Finch ~ 00:17
Photo & video taken by 'BBE' April 19, 2009, at Pete's Pond - Mashatu Game Reserve, Botswana

Red-headed Finch is a small bird about the size of a house sparrow. The Red-headed Finch has a height of 14 cms and weighs around 24 gms. The head is coloured red while the bill is coloured white. The Amadina erythrocephala has a orange coloured throat, pink legs and a orange, yellow coloured back. The eyes are brown.
The male Amadina erythrocephala has physical features that are slightly different from the female bird. (1)
The female is paler,plainer on the upperparts, lightly barred below, bill dark horn (color) (2)


Reference:
(1) http://www.birdsinsa.com/birds/amadinae ... ephala.htm
(2) Newman's Birds of Southern Africa by Kenneth Newman 2002 edition

Willow Warbler
Phylloscopus trochilus
Roberts No. 643


Photo taken by Wile1 Oct. 1, 2007 Pete's Pond, Mashatu Game Reserve, Botswana

The Willow Warbler is an extremely small bird about half the size of a house sparrow. The height of the Willow Warbler is about 12 cms and its weight is about 9 gms. Male and female have the same plumage and colours. The head and eye is brown; the bill is black; the throat is yellow; the back brown/grey and it has pink legs (1)


Reference:
http://www.thekruger.com/phylloscopustrochilus

Lesser Masked-Weaver
Ploceus intermedius
Roberts No. 815



Video: Lesser Masked Weaver ~ 30 sec.
Picture taken 12/15/07 and video taken on 1/9/08 by 'CJ' at Pete's Pond, Mashatu Game Reserve, Botswana, by NG

The Lesser Masked-Weaver has a height of 15 cms and weighs around 20 gms. The head and bill is coloured black. (1) The clue to look for is that the black mask goes above the eyes, onto the forehead, to differentiate from the So. Masked Weaver.


Reference:
(1) http://www.birdsinsa.com/birds/ploceusintermedius.htm

Common Sandpiper
Achtitis hypoleucos
Roberts No. 264




photos by "emc" taken at Pete's Pond, Botswana, Africa


Photo taken by 'CJ' on 12/3/07 at Pete's Pond, Mashatu G.R., Botswana

Video:
Common Sandpiper ~ 59 sec.
Video taken by 'CJ' on 3/16/08 at Djuma, Sabi Sands, SA, WildEarth Game Drive

Best clue here is the white chest going back up on the shoulders.
Compare with the Wood Sandpiper
20 cm
Has diagnostic white pectoral region showing above the folded wing., medium short,robust bill and habit of frequent bobbing its hindquarters.

reference: Newman's Birds of Southern Africa by Kenneth Newman 2002 edition

Comparison pics of the Common and the Wood Sandpiper

Common sandpiper


photos by "emc"
taken at Pete's Pond Botswana, Africa.

Wood Sandpiper


Photo by "emc"
taken at Pete's Pond Botswana, Africa