I love taking photos of birds and then identifying them either through an app or through some of my friends who really know their birds well. Here’s a couple that I have recently caught in the lens. Most of these photos have been taken with the Canon 55 – 250 / 18 – 200 EFS lenses or the Sigma 150 – 600mm contempory lens.
1. Spotted eagle-owl or African spotted eagle-owl.
This was taken in a residential complex in Wilgeheuwel, Roodepoort. There is a big open space of land next to the complex with high trees where they breed … taken December 2021. The spotted eagle-owl (Bubo africanus; also known as the African spotted eagle-owl and the African eagle-owl) is a medium-sized species of owl, one of the smallest of the eagle owls. Its length is 45 centimetres (18 in) and its weight is from 454 to 907 grams (1.0 to 2.0 lb). It has a 100 to 140 centimetres (39 to 55 in) wingspan. The facial disk is off white to pale ochre and the eyes are yellow. It has prominent ear tufts, and the upper body is dusky brown, the lower parts off-white with brown bars. Prior to 1999 the spotted eagle-owl was considered conspecific with the greyish eagle-owl, but now it is classed as a separate species.
2. Lesser Striped Swallow
Taken at Walkhaven Dog Park in The Cradle December 2021. Busy little birds. The lesser striped swallow (Cecropis abyssinica) is a large swallow. It breeds in Sub-Saharan Africa from Sierra Leone and southern Sudan south into eastern South Africa. It is partially migratory with South African birds wintering further north. West African birds leave the north of the breeding range in the dry season.
3. Green wood hoopoe or Red-billed hoopoe
Taken in a Residential complex in Wilgeheuwel. These guys have a god a very distinctive Kuk-uk-uk uk call to advertise their presence.
4. African Darter also knows as Snake Bird or Madagascar Darter.
This bird often swims with only it’s neck sticking out above the water, hence the common name snakebird.
5. Crested Barbet
With its thick bill and very colorful plumage the crested barbet is unmistakable. This small bird has a speckled yellow and red face with a small black crest. The belly is yellow with red speckles, wings are black with white specks and it has a broad black band on its neck. Yellow head and body with black and white feathers, red markings on end of body, its color blends well in the bush. They have a distinct trill.
6. Black Sparrowhawk
Photos Taken in Roodepoort, Gauteng in a residential complex with an open piece of land (with big trees) next door. The black sparrowhawk (Accipiter melanoleucus), sometimes known as the black goshawk or great sparrowhawk, is the largest African member of the genus Accipiter.
Can’t miss the sound that these birds make in the trees, awesome to see them in a residential area.
7. Black – and – white mannikin
Such small little birds, cute and very fast and love to feed on seeds in the garden.
mpicphoto.com 