June 26

Become a Bird Boffin with these Five Tricks and Eight Pics

By Ash Hooper on
June 26, 2017

When animals are difficult to spot you can always count on abundant birdlife to keep your eyes glued to your binoculars. We have some bird pics and tricks on how to identify an unfamiliar bird species when you are out and about in the bush.

Five Steps to Identify Birds:

First things first, follow these five nifty steps by birding expert Kenneth Newman on how to identify a bird.

  1. Look at its size
  2. Look at its colouring
  3. Look at the size and shape of its beak
  4. Identify the colour of the beak and legs
  5. Finally: check for any unique characteristics, for example, its call, movements, and the habitat in which you find it

Eight Pictures of Birds:

The eight birds below were spotted in the Kruger National Park in South Africa as well as well as from around the southern boundary of Botswana, the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in Mabuasehube, first of the new ‘peace parks.’ Peace parks join governments and the private sector together to collectively manage Africa’s natural resources. While away in these areas I practiced some bird spotting strategies. Take a look at a few of my birding snaps and then try your turn at Latin and the tricks it takes to identify these weird and wonderful creatures.

Yellow-billed HornbillTockus flavirostris

If you’re lucky, you’ll notice the yellow-billed hornbill with their wings open and heads bowed. Although they are a delight to spot they can also become a highly annoying around the campsite.

A bird with big beaks : the Yellow-billed Hornbill

Pale Chanting GoshawkMelierax canorus

This bird of prey is often confused with the dark chanting goshawk. The key difference between the two is where they’re found. If you’re in the Kruger National Park then you’ll spot the rarer dark chanting goshawk, while in southern Botswana, you’ll find it’s pale sibling.

 

A Pale Chanting Goshawk

Pearl-spotted OwlGlaucidium perlatum

The pearl-spotted owl is a very small earless owl that is often seen by day in any woodland region, specifically Mopane bushveld. Interestingly, it has two black marks on the back of its head that give the appearance of eyes.

 

A pearl-spotted owl

Cape Glossy StarlingsLamprotornis nitens

These glossy birds are very common and can even become very cheeky around campsites. They are usually found in thornveld, mixed woodland as well as suburbia.

 

A pair of Cape Glossy Starlings

Crowned EagleStephanoaetus coronatus

Pairs of crowned eagles have territories in heavily forested kloofs or ravines. This large eagle is distinguished by its crested head and it’s shorter wingspan when soaring in the sky.

 

A Crowned eagle perched high in a tree

Juvenile Crowned Eagle

Juveniles are initially white and then become more spotted as they grow up until they are entirely brown. It’s challenging to get a clear view as crowned eagles usually perch themselves in well-foliated trees.

 

A Juvenile Crowned eagle

Red-billed Spurfowl (Francolin)Francolinus adspersus

Red-billed spurfowl have a very loud call which turns into a hysteric crackling sound. So if you’re in the Kalahari and for some reason need an alarm clock, do not fear for francolin are near!

 

A Red-billed spurfowl pecking in the sand

Lilac-breasted RollerCoracias caudata

Lilac-breasted roller’s striking combination of colours makes these birds easily spotted, often perching atop trees and telephone wires.

 

The spectacular Lilac-breasted roller

 

 

If you’re interested in trying out these bird spotting steps in reality then chat to one of our expert consultants and they’ll advise the perfect destination for you to find our feathered friends.

Featured image: credit to Rhino Africa


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About the author 

Ash Hooper

The travel bug bit when Ashleigh was just a teen and a two-month exchange to Turkey resulted in a continued desire to take in the world. Writing became a natural response to what she saw, who she met, and what she learnt. Whether in the Caribbean on a Cuban train, part of the throngs of people on a ferry in the Philippines, or in the Mother City she calls home, Ash always has her pen and notebook ready. Not to mention a snack stash and some mementos to remind her of her proudly South African roots.

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