Author Topic: Birds of South Africa (Read 140751 times)

LeonDude · « **on:** November 14, 2011, 04:36:14 pm »

Birds of South Africa

I’ve had the thought of starting this thread for some time now. Going on tour we get to see a lot of birds, and I’ve often wondered about the different types and their names. I’m not really into birding, but I would like to know more about the birds that I do get to see.
So here goes.

LeonDude · « **Reply #1 on:** November 14, 2011, 04:37:25 pm »

Cape Wagtail
Kwikkie
Motacilla capensis simplicissima.

Spotted at Bloemhof dam nature reserve on my way to the 2009 bash, this little guy was collecting grass for nest building.

Found from Kenya and eastern Zaire southwards to the Cape.

Source – Roberts Birds of South Africa

theotherguy · « **Reply #2 on:** November 14, 2011, 04:48:42 pm »

what a let down,
this thread had serious potential...

LeonDude · « **Reply #3 on:** November 14, 2011, 05:03:53 pm »

Quote from: theotherguy on November 14, 2011, 04:48:42 pm

what a let down,
this thread had serious potential...

What were you expecting? For everything to just fall into your lap? Shees.

Like all other threads on this forum, it will become what the members make of it.
So stop thinking it's a let - down, and start adding your own input.

Ok so for the record - this thread is not just about birds that I have spotted. Everybody, please add your own pics and descriptions.

Legadema · « **Reply #4 on:** November 14, 2011, 05:08:21 pm »

Sorry not on a bike, Kgalagadi NP, Botswana side. Rooibors Laksman, if not mistaken ?

Pistonpete · « **Reply #5 on:** November 14, 2011, 05:15:50 pm »

Subscribed

Pity i got a lousy camera so rely on bino's & ticking off in the book.
Anyone know if the new Roberts(i think) book is out on the shelves yet?

LeonDude · « **Reply #6 on:** November 14, 2011, 05:23:11 pm »

This looks like the Greater Striped Swallow.
Spotted at Allemanskraal Dam in the Freestate on the way back from the 2010 bash.

punisher · « **Reply #7 on:** November 14, 2011, 05:35:57 pm »

dont even ask me
spotted in sondela

punisher · « **Reply #8 on:** November 14, 2011, 05:37:52 pm »

granadella bird

LeonDude · « **Reply #9 on:** November 14, 2011, 05:45:35 pm »

This one, as far as I can tell, is the Red Billed Hornbill. Spotted in the municipal camping ground at Marloth Park in August of 2010.

Beltzer · « **Reply #10 on:** November 14, 2011, 07:42:24 pm »

Leondude, it looks like Yellow bill horn bills

mine from Saturday: (first the mommy/daddy then the baby)

Beltzer · « **Reply #11 on:** November 14, 2011, 07:46:23 pm »

Pied kingfisher:

Beltzer · « **Reply #12 on:** November 14, 2011, 07:52:16 pm »

Little bee eater:

(you can stop me, i love taking photos of birds and have lots)

Chuck U Farley · « **Reply #13 on:** November 14, 2011, 07:59:45 pm »

Quote from: Beltzer on November 14, 2011, 07:52:16 pm

Little bee eater:

(you can stop me, i love taking photos of birds and have lots)

Awesome!

Maybe for the really pro shots (like Beltzer's), it would be cool if you could tells us what camera & lens you used. Settings as well if you want!

Beltzer · « **Reply #14 on:** November 14, 2011, 08:11:13 pm »

Quote from: Chuck U Farley on November 14, 2011, 07:59:45 pm

Quote from: Beltzer on November 14, 2011, 07:52:16 pm
Little bee eater:

(you can stop me, i love taking photos of birds and have lots)

Awesome!

Maybe for the really pro shots (like Beltzer's), it would be cool if you could tells us what camera & lens you used. Settings as well if you want!

Different setting, depending on the light and stuff, I'm not a pro, i take LOTS of photos and 99% of them are crap, but the one that works makes it worth while (its like my golf). I have a 300mm, cheap canon lens.

The setting are normally low f-stops and high shutter speed, as birds move the whole time, but the light has to be right.

the Fish eagles was 200mm focal length, f/5.6 and 1/4000 shutter speed

the pied king fisher was 300MM, F/5.6 and 1/320 sec shutter speed

alli · « **Reply #15 on:** November 15, 2011, 09:44:37 pm »

Hi Leondude.

Good idea for a thread

I think I'm in the same league as Beltzer, take a gazillion photo's and hope I get a few good ones

By the way, Leondude, I think the first photo you posted isn't a wagtail but rather a Whitebrowed Robin or possibly a kalahari robin. Check out the rufous (reddish) upper tail, the wagtail is all grey and has a definite black/grey breast band, not visible on your photo.

One of mine

Southern Ground Hornbill

LeonDude · « **Reply #16 on:** November 15, 2011, 10:06:56 pm »

Thanks alli.
Identifying birds from photies is not the easiest thing, so I'm happy to be corrected.

Mark Hardy · « **Reply #17 on:** November 15, 2011, 10:11:46 pm »

Very interesting thread LD

I will dig out my collection of birds visited and seen from the saddle of my bike.

XTFREAK · « **Reply #18 on:** November 16, 2011, 12:22:17 am »

Golden Tailed Woodpecker near Pilansberg, watched him for hours as he tapped away at the tree.

Pistonpete · « **Reply #19 on:** November 16, 2011, 06:57:14 am »

Quote from: Mark Hardy on November 15, 2011, 10:11:46 pm

Very interesting thread LD

I will dig out my collection of birds visited and seen from the saddle of my bike.

That might need re-phrasing....or is it just me?