Rueppell’s Glossy-Starling – immatures have dark eyes! It is named after Wilhelm Peter Eduard Simon Rüppell (20 November 1794 – 10 December 1884). He was a German naturalist and explorer. Rüppell is occasionally transliterated to “Rueppell” for the English alphabet.
Glossy Ibises are threatened by wetland habitat degradation and loss through drainage, increased salinity, groundwater extraction and invasion by exotic plants. It is also threatened locally by hunting, disturbance and pesticides.
The Indian Roller (Coracias benghalensis), also called the Blue Jay in former times is a member of the roller family of birds. They are found mainly in the Indian Subcontinent, but also in a wider arc stretching from Iraq to Thailand and are best known for the aerobatic displays of the male during the breeding season. They are very commonly seen perched along roadside trees and wires and are commonly seen in open grassland and scrub forest habitats. It is not migratory, but undertakes some seasonal movements. Several states in India have chosen it as their symbol.
Most twitchers would go gaga if they spot this bird, the reason being that Ruddy-breasted Crake (Porzana fusca) is a extremely shy and secretive bird. You are lucky if you manage to get a shot. It is a dream come true if one decides to walk in the open for you 🙂
One of the most common birds of South Africa and also one of the most pretty
The African Marsh Harrier (Circus ranivorus) is particularly common in the Okavango Delta in Botswana.
Red-billed Hornbill (Tockus erythrorhynchus) is a relatively small species of hornbill found in savanna and woodland of sub-Saharan Africa. Zazu, a character in the animated film The Lion King, is a Red-billed Hornbill. He is also featured in the sequel, The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride and the mid-quel The Lion King 1½.
The Bateleur (Terathopius ecaudatus) is a colourful species of medium sized eagle with a very short tail (ecaudatus is Latin for tailless) which makes it unmistakable in flight. “Bateleur” is French for “tight-rope walker”. This name describes the bird’s characteristic habit of tipping the ends of its wings when flying, as if catching its balance…..
Purple-rumped Sunbirds have violet patches on the throat and rump which are visible only in good lighting. There is also a maroon breast band.