Photos copyright: monacoeye • Monaco • April 2010 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Chiffchaff
Latin: Phylloscopus collybita
Other: Common Chiffchaff • Pouillot véloce (Fr) • Luì piccolo (It) • Mosquitero común (Es) • Zilpzalp (De), Weidenlaubsänger
Family: Phylloscopidae • Leaf Warblers

The Chiffchaff is the archetypal cute little brown bird - fairly featureless and easily confused with several other warblers, especially the Willow Warbler. Many winter here on the coast, whereas the Willow Warbler all migrate, allowing the former to be identified more easily.

Chiffchaffs have a lightish supercilium and light lower eyering, with yellowish-white chest and belly feathers. Dark legs.

A small bird, and generally difficult to photograph in nature, but I have recently discovered they are regular visitors to my balcony! This is a good time to observe the little fellas up close.

Chiffchaffs seem prone to bill deformities - I have a few pics, which I may upload later, of several “different-looking” chiffchaffs.

The range of chiffchaffs is quite large: Spain to Siberia in the summer and sub-Saharan Africa, Spain, Morocco, India, Middle East, Mediterranean coast, and parts of France and the UK in the winter.More photos...

Photos copyright: AS/monacoeye • Masai Mara • Oct 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Rüppel's Vulture
Latin: Gyps rueppellii
Other: Rueppel’s Vulture • Ruppel’s Vulture • Rüppel’s Griffon
Family: Accipitridae • Old World Vultures, Birds of Prey
Range:
Similar:

Rüppel’s Vulture is found in central Africa, and photographed here in the Masai Mara in Kenya.

Rüppel’s Vulture is a large bird, a metre in length, with a wingspan of 2.6 metres. It has a white-brown underside, white collar, yellowish bill, white fluff on neck. The light bill distinguishes it from the similar White-backed Vulture.

It was recently moved to Near-Threatened status on IUCN Red List.More photos...

Photos copyright: AS/monacoeye • Lake Manyara • Oct 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Spotted Morning Thrush
Latin: Cichladusa guttata
Other:
Family: Muscicapidae • Palm Thrushes

The Spotted Morning-thrush is found in eastern sub-Saharan Africa. These were seen at Lake Manyara and Olduvai Gorge in Tanzania.

The Spotted-morning thrush is identified by its strongly spotted chest. Here also with rufous tail.

This ID probably needs confirmation…

More photos...

Photos copyright: AS/monacoeye • Lake Victoria • Oct 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Red Chested Sunbird
Latin: Cinnyris erythrocerca
Other: Nectarinia erythrocerca
Family: Nectariniidae • Sunbirds

The Red-chested Sunbird is found in eastern sub-Saharan Africa.

This presumed Red-chested Sunbird was seen in Tanzania at Lake Victoria. The red chest is not visible on the above photo, but can be seen on the original photo.More photos...

Photos copyright: AS/monacoeye • Lake Nakaru • Oct 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Lesser Blue Eared Glossy Starling
Latin: Lamprotornis chloropterus
Other: Lesser Blue Eared Starling
Family: Sturnidae • Starlings

This is probably a Lesser Blue-eared Glossy-starling but there is a similar, larger, bird: the Greater Blue-eared Starling.More photos...

Photos copyright: AS/monacoeye • Masai Mara • Oct 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Holub's Golden Weaver
Latin: Ploceus xanthops
Other:
Family: Ploceidae • Weavers

Holub’s Goden Weaver is widespread in sub-Saharan Africa. Seen here in the Masai Mara, Kenya.

There are many similar-looking yellow weavers, so caution should be used with this photo ID. This looks like a male Holub’s Golden Weaver from the dark bill.More photos...

Photos copyright: AS/monacoeye • Lake Manyara • Oct 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: African Grey Hornbill
Latin: Tockus nasutus
Other:
Family: Bucerotidae • Hornbills

Nice shots of a female African Grey Hornbill at Lake Manyara in Tanzania. Its range extends throughout much of sub-Saharan Africa and into Arabia.

The female African Grey Hornbill can be distinguished from the male by the red she has on her bill, where the male’s bill is black.

More photos...

Photos copyright: monacoeye • 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Red Billed Hornbill
Latin: Tockus erythrorhynchus
Other:
Family: Bucerotidae • Hornbills

Thanks to André for sending in photos (below in “more photos”) of the Red-billed Hornbill in the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania.

The Red-billed Hornbill is found in sub-Saharan Africa.More photos...

Photos copyright: AS/monacoeye • Serengeti • Oct 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Von Decken’s Hornbill
Latin: Tockus deckeni
Other:
Family: Bucerotidae • Hornbills

Here is a male Von Decken’s Hornbill in the Serengeti in Tanzania. The male has red on the bill whereas the female has a black bill. The range of Von Decken’s Hornbill extends from Tanzania into other parts of east Africa.

The Hornbills sometimes get their own 56-species order, the Bucerotiformes. Otherwise they are placed in the Coraciiformes with Kingfishers, Rollers and Bee-eaters. Superb birds!More photos...

Photos copyright: AS/monacoeye • Serengeti • Oct 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Silvery Cheeked Hornbill
Latin: Bycanistes brevis
Other:
Family: Bucerotidae • Hornbills

Fantastic looking Silvery-cheeked Hornbills, seen here feeding at Lake Manyara in Tanzania, by André.

They have a huge cream-coloured casque on the bill (males’, above, is larger) dark plumage with a white stripe running down the back.

In “more photos” you can see how delicately they can hold a small fruit in that huge bill of theirs.

More photos...

Photos copyright: AS/monacoeye • Serengeti • Oct 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Little Bee Eater
Latin: Merops pusillus
Other:
Family: Meropidae • Bee Eaters

The Little Bee-eater is found throughout much of sub-Saharan Africa.

There are 24 species of Bee-eater worldwide, mostly in the genus Merops. Bee-eaters live in the Old World from Africa to Australia, with the highest number in Africa.

They almost exclusively eat insects, usually catching them on the wing, with a predilection for bees and wasps. Insects with stings are knocked against a hard surface then rubbed, with the bird’s eyes closed, to discharge the venom.

Thanks to André for sending in these pictures from Tanzania.More photos...

Photos copyright: AS/monacoeye • Serengeti • Oct 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Yellow Throated Sandgrouse
Latin: Pterocles gutturalis
Other:
Family: Pteroclididae • Sandgrouse

The Yellow-throated Sandgrouse lives in sub-Saharan Africa. It is one of 16 species of Sandgrouse which now have their own order Pteroclidiformes - previously they were lumped with Pigeons in Columbiformes.

Glad to have these photos of the first Sandgrouse on the site, sent in by André. I spent a fruitless afternoon last year marching around La Crau in southern France, in search of the elusive Pin-tailed Sandgrouse.

The general distribution of the other members of the Sandgrouse family is Africa and Asia, with two species in southern Spain, one of which, as mentioned, sometimes ventures into France.

These Yellow-throated Sandgrouse were seen in the Serengeti in Tanzania. The female is pictured above and has strongly contrasting feathers and facial stripe. The male, below left, is duller with a dark neck stripe and also with facial stripe.

More photos...

Photos copyright: AS/monacoeye • Ngorongoro • Oct 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: European Bee Eater
Latin: Merops apiaster
Other: Guêpier d'Europe (Fr) • Gruccione (It) • Abejaruco europeo (Es)
Family: Meropidae • Bee Eaters

Around the 8th of September each year, hundreds of European Bee-eaters fly along the mountains behind Monaco (below in “more photos”), parallel to the coast, in their annual southwestern migration, down to Spain and then on to Africa.

They seem to come through in groups of twenty to fifty birds, at roughly half-hour intervals, with a one-day peak of several hundred individuals.

These small colourful birds have a fluttering flight, which appears quite haphazard, yet they manage to progress in a generally westward direction, parallel to the coast. They can be heard approaching by their flutey, whistling song, which sounds a little like singing electrical wires, which they make as they fly.

André, has just sent in the photo (above) of a European Bee-Eater in the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania, in October.More photos...

Photo copyright: AS/TC/monacoeye • Tanzania

Bird name: Grey Headed Kingfisher
Latin: Halcyon leucocephala
Other: Gray-headed Kingfisher
Family: Alcedinidae • Kingfishers
Range:
Similar:

These Grey-headed Kingfishers were seen on the Serengeti River and Lake Manyara in Tanzania. Their range covers much of sub-Saharan Africa into southern Arabia.

The Grey-headed Kingfisher hunts insects and small lizards - not fish.More photos...

Photo copyright: AS/monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Kenya • Oct 2009

Bird name: Ostrich
Latin: Struthio camelus
Other:
Family: Struthionidae • Ostrich

The Ostrich is the largest ratite, an ancient group of flightless birds originating in Gondwanaland. They have no keel on their sternum (ratis is Latin for raft), so would not be able to fly even with more developed wings.

Ostriches are native to many parts of tropical Africa, particularly east Africa. Males are generally black and white and females brown.

These ostriches were photographed in Amboseli and the Serengeti.

More photos...

Photo copyright: AS/monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Tanzania • Oct 2009

Bird name: African Openbill
Latin: Anastomus lamelligerus
Other:
Family: Ciconiidae • Storks
Range:
Similar:

The bill of the African Openbill Stork does not close fully, but instead meets at the tip.

The African Openbill is one of a total of 19 species of stork. Seen here in Lake Victoria with Black-winged Stilts.


More photos...

Photo copyright: AS/monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Kenya • Oct 2009

Bird name: Lappet Faced Vulture
Latin: Torgos tracheliotus
Other: Nubian Vulture
Family: Accipitridae • Old World Vultures, Birds of Prey
Range:
Similar:

These Lappet-faced Vultures were photographed in the Masai Mara in Kenya and Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania.

I am less certain of the ID of the juvenile below (in “more photos”), so really need confirmation.

Comparison photo with White-backed Vulture here.

The Lappet-faced Vulture is classed as Vulnerable in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
More photos...

Photo copyright: AS/monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Tanzania • Oct 2009

Bird name: D'Arnaud's Barbet
Latin: Trachyphonus darnaudii
Other:
Family: Lybidiidae • Barbets

D’Arnaud’s Barbet is a small east African bird. The Barbets’ closest relatives are the Toucans and then the Woodpeckers. Photographed here by André in the Serengeti.More photos...

Photos copyright: monacoeye • Alpes Maritimes • March 2010 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Little Grebe
Latin: Tachybaptus ruficollis
Other: Dabchick • Grèbe castagneux (Fr) • Zampullín común (Es)
Family: Podicipedidae • Grebes

A distant shot of a couple of Little Grebes in a lake near Cannes yesterday.

A small shy grebe, identified by the yellow gape (corner of mouth). It has a dark stripe behind neck and a touch of white at tip of bill.

The Little Grebe is widely distributed in much of Europe, Asia and Africa.More photos...

Photo copyright: AS/monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Ngorongoro • Oct 2009

Bird name: Speke’s Weaver
Latin: Ploceus spekei
Other:
Family: Ploceidae • Weavers

This seems likely to be a Speke’s Weaver, taken at Ngorongoro in Tanzania, but ID needs confirmation.More photos...

Photo copyright: AS/monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Serengeti • Oct 2009

Bird name: Speckle Fronted Weaver
Latin: Sporopipes frontalis
Other:
Family: Ploceidae • Weavers

The two different birds which look like Speckle-fronted Weavers to me, but need checking. Above taken in the Serengeti, below at Lake Manyara.More photos...

Photo copyright: AS/monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Serengeti • Oct 2009

Bird name: White Headed Buffalo Weaver
Latin: Dinemellia dinemelli
Other:
Family: Ploceidae • Weavers

A nice photo of a White-headed Buffalo-weaver seen in the Serengeti in Tanzania. Quite common in East Africa.More photos...

Photo copyright: AS/monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Lake Victoria • Oct 2009

Bird name: Slender Billed Weaver
Latin: Ploceus pelzelni
Other:
Family: Ploceidae • Weavers

This presumed Slender-billed Weaver was seen at Lake Victoria in Tanzania.More photos...

Photo copyright: AS/monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Lake Nakuru • Oct 2009

Bird name: Superb Starling
Latin: Lamprotornis superbus
Other:
Family: Sturnidae • Starlings

The aptly named Superb Starling lives in East Africa, seen here above at Lake Nakuru in Tanzania.More photos...

Photo copyright: AS/monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Ngorongoro • Oct 2009

Bird name: Greater Double Collared Sunbird
Latin: Cinnyris afer
Other:
Family: Nectariniidae • Sunbirds

The Greater Double-collared Sunbird photographed near Ngorongoro Crater.More photos...

Photo copyright: AS/monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Ngorongoro • Oct 2009

Bird name: Grey Crowned Crane
Latin: Balearica regulorum
Other: Gray Crowned Crane
Family: Gruidae • Cranes

The Grey Crowned Crane is found on dry savannah in sub-Saharan Africa - photographed here In Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania. A large bird, about one metre tall. A stunning plumage.More photos...

Photo copyright: AS/monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Ngorongoro Crater • Oct 2009

Bird name: Blacksmith Plover
Latin: Vanellus armatus
Other: Blacksmith Lapwing
Family: Charadridae • Lapwings

The Blacksmith Plover is quite abundant in Kenya wetlands. Seen here in the Ngorongoro Crater.More photos...

Photo copyright: AS/monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Masai Mara • Oct 2009

Bird name: Black Headed Oriole
Latin: Oriolus larvatus
Other: African Black Headed Oriole
Family: Oriolidae • Orioles

The Black-headed Oriole lives in sub-Saharan Africa, seen here in the Masai Mara.More photos...

Photo copyright: AS/monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Ngorongoro Crater • Oct 2009

Bird name: Kori Bustard
Latin: Ardeotis kori
Other:
Family: Otididae • Bustards

The Kori Bustard is a large, heavy bird, which stands at about 85 cm tall and is capable of flight. Spotted here in the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania, by André.More photos...

Photo copyright: AS/monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Lake Manyara • Oct 2009

Bird name: Nubian Woodpecker
Latin: Campethera nubica
Other:
Family: Picidae • Woodpeckers

The Nubian Woodpecker is found in Central and Eastern Africa. Seen here at Lake Manyara, Kenya.More photos...

Photo copyright: AS/monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Kenya • Oct 2009

Bird name: Pied Crow
Latin: Corvus albus
Other:
Family: Corvidae • Crows
Range:
Similar:

These Pied Crows were on a roof top near the border of Kenya and Tanzania.

The Pied Crow is widely distributed throughout sub-Saharan Africa.More photos...

Photo copyright: AS/monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Ngorongoro Crater • Oct 2009

Bird name: Rufous Tailed Weaver
Latin: Histurgops ruficauda
Other: Histurgops ruficaudus
Family: Passeridae • Old World Sparrows

Some nice pics of a Rufous-tailed Weaver in Ngorongoro. The Rufous-tailed Weaver is endemic to Kenya and Tanzania.
More photos...

Photo copyright: AS/monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Olduvai Gorge • Oct 2009

Bird name: Secretary Bird
Latin: Sagittarius serpentarius
Other:
Family: Sagittariidae • Secretary Bird

The curiously anthropomorphic Secretary Bird, which looks a bit like a dancer with one outstretched leg (below), or a cartoon character looking for clues (above), photographed here in the Serengeti.

The Secretary Bird is a bird-of-prey in the Accipitriformes order, but in its own family, the Sagitarridae, which, in evolutionary terms, is older than the hawks, eagles and falcons, but not as old as the old-world vultures.

The Secretary Bird is a like a hawk on crane’s legs, hunting for food on foot, stamping on small prey or striking with its bill.

More photos...

Photo copyright: AS/monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Olduvai Gorge • Oct 2009

Bird name: Red and Yellow Barbet
Latin: Trachyphonus erythrocephalus
Other:
Family: Columbidae • Doves

I believe that’s a female Red-and-yellow Barbet above, without the black crest, taken at Olduvai Gorge, and a male, with black crest, below seen at Lake Manyara.

More photos...

Photo copyright: AS/monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Olduvai Gorge • Oct 2009

Bird name: Laughing Dove
Latin: Stigmatopelia senegalensis
Other:
Family: Columbidae • Doves

The Laughing Dove lives in Africa, the Middle East and Asia. It has a characteristic speckled black crop (front of neck). Seen here in Olduvai Gorge in Tanzania.More photos...

Photo copyright: AS/monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Mount Kenya • Oct 2009

Bird name: White Eyed Slaty Flycatcher
Latin: Melaenornis fischeri
Other:
Family: Muscicapidae • Flycatchers

A nice photo of the White-eyed Slaty Flycatcher, which lives in the highlands of East Africa.More photos...

Photo copyright: AS/monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Lake Manyara • Oct 2009

Bird name: Fork Tailed Drongo
Latin: Dicrurus adsimilis
Other:
Family: Dicruridae • Drongos

These Fork-tailed Drongos were seen near Lake Manyara in Tanzania. There are about 28 species of Drongo in the world, living in tropical Africa, Asia and Australasia. The Fork-tailed Drongo is widespread in sub-Saharan Africa.More photos...

Photo copyright: AS/monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Zanzibar • Oct 2009

Bird name: House Crow
Latin: Corvus splendens
Other: Colombo Crow • Huiskraai (NL)
Family: Corvidae • Crows
Range:
Similar:

The House Crow is originally from Asia, widespread from Iran to Thailand, but was introduced to Zanzibar, in the 19th century.More photos...

Photo copyright: AS/monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Lake Nakuru • Oct 2009

Bird name: Rufous Crowned Roller
Latin: Coracias naevia
Other: Purple Roller
Family: Coraciidae • Rollers

The Rufous-crowned Roller lives in sub-Saharan Africa. These photos were taken by André near Lake Nakuru in Kenya.More photos...

Photo copyright: AS/monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Serengeti • Oct 2009

Bird name: Lilac Breasted Roller
Latin: Coracias caudatus
Other:
Family: Coraciidae • Rollers

Great photos from André of the colourful Lilac-breasted Roller, which is found in sub-Saharan Africa and the Arabian Peninsular. These photos were taken in the Serengeti, in Tanzania.

There are 11 species of Roller in the Old World, three of them now featured on this site!More photos...

Photo copyright: AS/monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: • Oct 2009

Bird name: Water Thick Knee
Latin: Burhinus vermiculatus
Other: Water Dikkop
Family: Burhinidae • Thick-knees

You can hardly blame André for not wishing to get any closer to this Water Thick-Knee on the banks of the Serengeti River!

Water Thick-knees tend to live by the side of lakes and rivers, throughout sub-Saharan Africa.More photos...

Photo copyright: AS/monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Lake Victoria • Oct 2009

Bird name: Hamerkop
Latin: Scopus umbretta
Other: Hammerkop
Family: Scopidae ? • Hamerkop

The taxonomy of the Hamerkop is unclear. These photos were taken near Lake Victoria by André.

Other names for this bird: Hammerkop, Hammerkopf, Hammerhead, Hammerhead Stork, Umbrette, Umber Bird, Tufted Umber and AnvilheadMore photos...

Photo copyright: AS/monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Mount Kenya • Oct 2009

Bird name: African Pied Wagtail
Latin: Motacilla aguimp
Other:
Family: Motacillidae • Wagtails

An African Pied Wagtail spotted here by André at his lodge near Mount Kenya.More photos...

Photo copyright: AS/monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Serengeti • Oct 2009

Bird name: White Bellied Bustard
Latin: Eupodotis senegalensis
Other: Senegal Bustard
Family: Otididae • Bustards

A nice shot of a White-bellied Bustard taken in the Serengeti, by André. The first Bustard on the site…More photos...

Photo copyright: AS/monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Lake Nakuru • Oct 2009

Bird name: Speckled Pigeon
Latin: Columba guinea
Other: Rock Pigeon
Family: Columbidae • Pigeons

The Speckled Pigeon is a sub-Saharan Pigeon, photographed here near Lake Nakuru by André.More photos...

Photo copyright: AS/monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Tanzania • Oct 2009

Bird name: White Browed Coucal *
Latin: Centropus superciliosus *
Other: Rainbird
Family: Cuculidae • Coucals

* ID needs confirmation

This presumed White-browed Coucal was photographed near Lake Victoria, in Tanzania.More photos...

Photo copyright: AS/monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Serengeti • Oct 2009

Bird name: Southern Ground Hornbill
Latin: Bucorvus leadbeateri
Other:
Family: Bucerotidae • Hornbills

The Southern Ground-Hornbill is the largest species of Hornbill - over a metre in length. Seen here in the Serengeti.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Ubatuba • November 2009

Bird name: Saw Billed Hermit
Latin: Ramphodon naevius
Other: Beija-flor-rajado (Br)
Family: Trochilidae • Hummingbirds
Range:
Similar:

The Saw-billed Hermit is a large hummingbird, endemic to the southeast coast of Brazil.

The Saw-billed Hermit has an ochre throat, streaked dark brown and white in the centre which continues onto streaked chest and belly. Its tail is dark brown in the centre and ochre on the sides. Most of the rest of the bird is tones of brown. It has a light supercilium and the underside and lower half of its bill is yellow.

The male has a straight bill, while the female’s bill is more decurved.

More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Ubatuba • November 2009

Bird name: Violet Capped Woodnymph
Latin: Thalurania glaucopis
Other: Beija-flor-de-fronte-violeta (Br)
Family: Trochilidae • Hummingbirds
Range:
Similar:

The Violet-capped Woodnymph is a hummingbird found throughout the southeast of Brazil, and into Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina.

The male has a characteristic purple cap, black bill, greenish body, brownish wings and deep blue, longish, forked tail. The female is light underneath, but I’m not certain the photo below is a female Violet-capped Woodnymph (needs confirmation). She has a shorter, white-tipped tail.

These photos were mostly taken at Jonas’ excellent feeders in Folha Seca.

More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Itatiaia November 2009

Bird name: Variegated Flycatcher
Latin: Empidonomus varius
Other: Peitica (Br)
Family: Tyrannidae • Flycatchers

The Variegated Flycatcher range extends from Argentina to Venezuela and it is found throughout Brazil - these were seen in Ubatuba.

The Variegated Flycatcher looks similar to the Streaked Flycatcher, but is slighter, less streaked, with smaller bill, which is darker underneath. White edging to wings is prominent as is the rufous edging to tail feathers.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Itatiaia November 2009

Bird name: Streaked Flycatcher
Latin: Myiodynastes maculatus
Other: Bem-ti-vi-rajado (Br)
Family: Tyrannidae • Flycatchers

The Streaked Flycatcher range extends from Mexico to Argentina and it is found throughout Brazil. These photos were taken in Itatiaia.

The Streaked Flycatcher looks similar to the Variegated Flycatcher, but is larger, more strongly marked and with bigger bill. The bill is also partly light and pinkish underneath.

The individual below (in “more photos”) was very vociferous.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Itatiaia November 2009

Bird name: Short Crested Flycatcher
Latin: Myiarchus ferox
Other: Maria-cavaleira (Br)
Family: Tyrannidae • Flycatchers

These photos have been identified as probably Short-crested Flycatchers. They were mostly taken in Itatiaia in November. However there are a few very similar birds in the region, such as Swainson’s Flycatcher, so treat this ID with caution.

The Short-crested Flycatcher is widespread in Brazil, present in all areas other than Rio Grande do Sul. In Itatiaia they would visit the lodge and catch moths on the veranda. Its range extends from Argentina to Venezuela.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Nice & Monaco Summer 2009

Bird name: Common Swift
Latin: Apus apus
Other: Martinet noir (Fr) • Rondone (It) • Mauersegler (De) • Vencejo común (Es)
Family: Apodidae • Swifts
Range: Breeds widespread Eurasia, migrates to Southern Africa

It’s difficult to differentiate between the Common Swift and Pallid Swift, both of which are present in large numbers on the Côte d’Azur in summer.

The lowest photo below (in more photos) may be a Pallid Swift. The Pallid Swift has a larger white patch on the throat than the Common Swift and is slightly browner and stockier, with ribbed markings on the belly and less pointed wings.

The Pallid Swift does not occur north of the Mediterranean belt but the Common Swift is widespread throughout Europe.

More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: La Turbie Summer 2009

Bird name: Alpine Swift
Latin: Apus melba
Other: Tachymarptis melba • Martinet Alpin / Royal / à Ventre Blanc (Fr)
Family: Apodidae • Swifts

The Alpine Swift is a large swift, generally found at higher altitudes, in a band around the Mediterranean and into Turkey and beyond, in the summer. It migrates to southeast Africa in the northern winter.

The Alpine Swift is distinguished by its white stomach and throat, although the latter is not always visible in certain angles and light. These swifts return to the mountains above Monaco in April and spend the summer there.

Notice how they fill their throat pouch with insects, causing it to bulge.More photos...

Photos copyright: monacoeye • Cote d’Azur, France • October 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: European Stonechat
Latin: Saxicola torquatus
Other: Saxicola rubicola • Saxicola torquata • Common Stonechat • Tarier pâtre (Fr)
Family: Muscicapidae • Chats

The Stonechat is a small bird, present throughout the year on the Cote d’Azur, and found throughout most of Europe, especially in the summer. The similar Whinchat has a stronger white supercilium and an extra patch of white on the wing (male).

The name of this bird seems to be in flux currently. S. torquatus, torquata and rubicola all are used. Common Stonechat is the older broader name, European Stonechat is narrower grouping. The Chats used to be grouped with Thrushes, but now are considered Old World Flycatchers.

More photos...

Photos copyright: AW/monacoeye • Luanda • November 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Purple Banded Sunbird
Latin: Nectarinia bifasciata
Other: Cinnyris bifasciatus
Family: Nectariniidae • Sunbirds

Probably a Purple-banded Sunbird, but could be a Crimson Sunbird. Seen in Luanda, Angola. Female above, male below.

More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Lagoa do Peixe November 2009

Bird name: Cattle Tyrant
Latin: Machetornis rixosa
Other: Suiriri-cavaleiro (Br) • Matadura (Es), Picabuey
Family: Tyrannidae • Tyrant Flycatchers

The Cattle Tyrant, found at low altitudes, often picking insects off large mammals or walking on the ground. Below a picture of a Cattle Tyrant scouring the beach for food in Santa Catarina. Its range extends from Argentina to Venezuela.

Note light tip to tail and red line visible on crown of head in one picture below. Often has reddish eyes. Yellower neck often than Tropical Kingbird. For more differences with Tropical Kingbird see latter.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Itatiaia November 2009

Bird name: Tropical Kingbird
Latin: Tyrannus melancholicus
Other: Suiriri (Br) • Benteveo real (Es), Suiriri real
Family: Tyrannidae • Tyrant Flycatchers

The Tropical Kingbird is one of the most widespread birds in Brazil, across all habitats. It has a large range outside Brazil, from Arizona to Argentina.

The Tropical Kingbird is a large flycatcher and bears some similarities to the smaller Cattle Tyrant, which is also widespread in Brazil. However the Tropical Kingbird generally has a forked tail, sits at the top of trees, has a larger bill than the Cattle Tyrant, and is greyer in the head area. The Cattle Tyrant is found at lower elevations, often walking on the ground, and is generally warmer and yellower in colour.More photos...

Photos copyright: VM/monacoeye • Treviso, Italy • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Spotted Flycatcher
Latin: Muscicapa striata
Other: Gobe-Mouche Gris (Fr) • Pigliamosche (It)
Family: Muscicapidae • Flycatchers

A nice picture of a Spotted Flycatcher above sent in by Valerie from her garden in Italy. Note the faintly streaked chest and head and slightly lighter supercilium. Otherwise not much in the way of prominent features.

While most birds cannot distinguish between their own eggs and others, the Spotted Flycatcher can discriminate well. This suggests it was once parasitised by the Cuckoo but successfully adapted its defence though egg recognition.

I saw half a dozen Spotted Flycatchers in the Danube Delta region, particularly near the coastal area - numbers have reportedly fallen off in the UK.More photos...

Photos: VM/monacoeye • Treviso, Italy • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Common Redstart
Latin: Phoenicurus phoenicurus
Other: Redstart • Rouge-queue à front blanc (Fr) • Codirosso (It)
Family: Muscicapidae • Flycatchers
Range: Europe, Asia, Africa

Above, lovely bright colours of the male Common Redstart in northern Italy, from Valerie.More photos...

Photo copyright: VM/monacoeye • Do not copy • Image: Treviso, Italy

Bird name: European Goldfinch
Latin: Carduelis carduelis
Other: Goldfinch • Chardonneret élégant (Fr) • Cardellino (It)
Family: Fringillidae • Finches

Many thanks to Valerie for sending in the above photo of a Goldfinch in her garden in northern Italy.More photos...

Photo copyright: AS/monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Amboseli • Oct 2009

Bird name: African Hoopoe
Latin: Upupa africana
Other: Upupa epops africana • Eurasian Hoopoe
Family: Upupidae

The African Hoopoe is often thought a subspecies of Eurasian Hoopoe.

Nice shots here sent in by André and taken in Amboseli National Park.More photos...

Photo copyright: AS/monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Amboseli • Oct 2009

Bird name: African Jacana
Latin: Actophilornis africanus
Other:
Family: Jacanidae • Jacanas

The African Jacana breeds throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Like all Jacanas it is able to walk over floating lily pads and other floating vegetation.More photos...

Photo copyright: AS/monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Amboseli • Oct 2009

Bird name: Red Capped Lark
Latin: Calandrella cinerea
Other:
Family: Alaudidae • Larks

The Red-capped Lark lives in the highlands of sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in the East.More photos...

Photo copyright: AS/monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Amboseli • Oct 2009

Bird name: African Fish Eagle
Latin: Haliaeetus vocifer
Other: African Sea Eagle
Family: Accipitridae • Eagles, Sea Eagles, Birds of Prey
Range:
Similar:

The African Fish Eagle is found across sub-Saharan, near lakes and rivers. It is a large powerful bird with a two-metre wingspan.More photos...

Photo copyright: AS/monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Amboseli • Oct 2009

Bird name: Northern Black Flycatcher
Latin: Melaenornis edolioides
Other:
Family: Muscicapidae • Flycatchers

The Northern Black Flycatcher…More photos...

Photo copyright: AS/monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Amboseli • Oct 2009

Bird name: Helmeted Guineafowl
Latin: Numida meleagris
Other:
Family: Numididae • Guineafowl

The Helmeted Guineafowl is native to Africa but has been domesticated around the world.More photos...

Photo copyright: AS/monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Lake Nakuru • Oct 2009

Bird name: Lesser Flamingo
Latin: Phoenicopterus minor
Other:
Family: Phoenicopteridae • Flamingos

The Lesser Flamingo looks similar to the Greater Flamingo, but is smaller with more black on the bill and a red patch at the tip. Large numbers congregate in Lake Nakuru.

More photos...

Photo copyright: AS/monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Amboseli • Oct 2009

Bird name: African Spoonbill
Latin: Platalea alba
Other:
Family: Threskiornithidae • Spoonbills

The African Spoonbill has a red face and legs, unlike the Eurasian Spoonbill. It is one of six Spoonbill species in the world.More photos...

Photo copyright: AS/monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Amboseli • Oct 2009

Bird name: Bateleur
Latin: Terathopius ecaudatus
Other:
Family: Accipitridae • Eagles, Birds of Prey
Range:
Similar:

The Bateleur is a strongly marked medium-sized eagle, with a very short tail, which makes it easy to identify in flight.More photos...

Photo copyright: AS/monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Amboseli • Oct 2009

Bird name: Greenshank
Latin: Tringa nebularia
Other:
Family: Scolopacidae • Waders

A presumed Greenshank in Amboseli National Park.More photos...

Photo copyright: AS/monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Amboseli • Oct 2009

Bird name: Crowned Lapwing
Latin: Vanellus coronatus
Other: Crowned Plover
Family: Charadriidae • Lapwings

The Crowned Lapwing is easily identifiable by the white band on its crown.More photos...

Photo copyright: AS/monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Amboseli • Oct 2009

Bird name: Long Toed Lapwing
Latin: Vanellus crassrostris
Other:
Family: Charadriidae • Lapwings

The Long-toed Lapwing photographed here by André in Amboseli, Kenya. There are 24 species of Lapwing in the world.More photos...

Photo copyright: AS/monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Amboseli • Oct 2009

Bird name: Spur Winged Lapwing
Latin: Vanellus spinosus
Other: Spur-winged Plover
Family: Charadriidae • Lapwings

The Spur-winged Lapwing has shoulder spurs, which it uses to charge down predators and intruders, much like its South-American cousin the Southern Lapwing.More photos...

Photo copyright: AS/monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Lake Victoria • Oct 2009

Bird name: Yellow Backed Weaver
Latin: Ploceus melanocephalus
Other: Black-headed Weaver
Family: Ploceidae • Weavers

Thanks to André for sending this mystery bird in, taken near Lake Victoria, Tanzania, October 2009.

It has been identified as an immature or female Yellow-backed Weaver, principally from the russet chest, bill shape and dark irises.More photos...

Photo copyright: A/monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Angola • Nov 2009

Bird name: Red Backed Mousebird
Latin: Colius castanotus
Other:
Family: Coliidae • Mousebirds

These Mousebirds, the first on the site, have been identified for me as Red-backed Mousebirds, which are endemic to Angola and the DRC. Although the Red-backed Mousebird looks similar to the Speckled Mousebird, I am told the Red-backed Mousebird is the one seen in Luanda, so that’s what I’m going with here. This group were in the hotel grounds.

There are only six species of Mousebird in the world, all living in sub-Saharan Africa. They form their own order, the Coliiformes, which is close to Passeriformes.More photos...

Photo copyright: A/monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Angola • Nov 2009

Bird name: Grey Headed Sparrow
Latin: Passer griseus
Other: Northern Grey Headed Sparrow, Gray-headed Sparrow
Family: Passeridae • Sparrows

Here is the Northern Grey-headed Sparrow, Africa’s answer to the House Sparrow.More photos...

Photo copyright: Euclides/monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Angola • Nov 2009

Bird name: Village Weaver
Latin: Ploceus cucullatus
Other: Spotted-backed Weaver • Black-headed Weaver
Family: Ploceidae • Weavers

This is a black-headed Village Weaver, a male presumably. Thanks to Euclides for sending it in!More photos...

Photo copyright: A/monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Angola • Nov 2009

Bird name: Spectacled Weaver
Latin: Ploceus ocularis
Other:
Family: Ploceidae • Weavers

A pair of Spectacled Weavers, again seen in the hotel grounds in Luanda.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: France • 2009

Bird name: Carrion Crow
Latin: Corvus corone
Other: Corneille noire (Fr)
Family: Corvidae • Crows
Range:
Similar:

It’s generally difficult to distinguish the Carrion Crow from other similar corvids, such as the juvenile Rook. The Carrion Crow has a more rounded bill than the juvenile Rook. The adult Rook has a bare base to its bill.

The Raven is a larger version of the Carrion Crow - though to be honest the photo above (taken in the Camargue) looks rather raven-like to me - and the bird seemed very large when I photographed it.

The Hooded Crow, which substitutes the Carrion Crow in Eastern Europe and Ireland, is often thought to be a subspecies of Carrion Crow. In addition to Western Europe, the Carrion Crow is also found throughout Northeast Asia.

More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Romania • May 2009

Bird name: Hooded Crow
Latin: Corvus cornix
Other: Cornacchia grigia (It)
Family: Corvidae • Crows
Range:
Similar:

The Hooded Crow replaces the all-black Carrion Crow in Eastern Europe, Ireland and northern Scotland. These crows are often thought of as the same species but here treated separately.

The Hooded Crow is common in the Danube Delta in Romania (pictured here), and often seen in fields etc, like the Carrion Crow.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Italy - Romania • May 2009

Bird name: Eurasian Tree Sparrow
Latin: Passer montanus
Other: Moineau friquet (Fr)
Family: Passeridae • Sparrows

The Tree Sparrow is far less common than the similar House Sparrow and can be easily differentiated by the small patch of black on its cheek and wholly rufous top of head. Also found throughout Europe and much of Asia.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Italy - Croatia • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Eurasian Jay
Latin: Garrulus glandarius
Other: Jay • Geai des chênes (Fr)
Family: Corvidae • Crows, Jays
Range:
Similar:

The Eurasian Jay, a beautiful bird, is widespread throughout Europe, and beyond into Asia and Africa, but rather shy so frustratingly difficult to photograph, or even observe with the naked eye.

The Jay has striking blue stripes on the wing, a black moustachial stripe, and streaked top of head.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • France • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Common Magpie
Latin: Pica pica
Other: European Magpie • Pie bavarde (Fr)
Family: Corvidae • Crows, Magpies
Range:
Similar:

The Magpie is the one bird that everyone (in Europe) can recognise immediately. It is found throughout Europe and much of Asia and northwest Africa. Common in most locations, throughout the year.

It is large, black and white, with some blue on wing. The only other magpie in Europe is the Azure-winged Magpie, found in Spain.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Itatiaia • November 09 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: White Throated Hummingbird
Latin: Leucochloris albicollis
Other: Beija-flor-de-papo-branco (Br)
Family: Trochilidae • Hummingbirds
Range:
Similar:

The White-throated Hummingbird is found in the south of Brazil and surrounding areas. It characterised by its white throat and belly. Seen here in Itatiaia.
More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • NW Italy • Feb 2010 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Common Chaffinch
Latin: Fringilla coelebs
Other: Pinson des Arbres
Family: Fringillidae - Finches

The Chaffinch is one of the more common birds along the Cote d’Azur, especially in the winter.

The Chaffinch has a flat haircut, forming an angle at the back of the head.The female Chaffinch does not have the pink and blue colouring of the male, but both can be recognised by their characteristic wing markings, which form a white “T”. Similar looking to the Brambling.More photos...

Photos copyright: monacoeye • Danube Delta, Romania • May 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: White Pelican
Latin: Pelecanus onocrotalus
Other: Great White Pelican • Eastern White Pelican
Family: Pelecanidae • Pelicans

Half of all White Pelicans breed in the Danube Delta, where they can be seen in great numbers, spiralling up on thermals, high in the sky, or swimming in the Black Sea and lakes in the Delta, often with cormorants.

The White Pelican has pink lores and dark irises, which distinguish it from the rarer Dalmatian Pelican. The White Pelican also has a thick black trailing stripe to on the wing. Pictured below in “more photos” is one unusual individual with both white and black feathers.


More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Danube Delta + • November 2009

Bird name: Mute Swan
Latin: Cygnus olor
Other: Cygne tuberculé • Cygne muet • Cigno reale (It) • Cigno bianco
Family: Anatidae • Swans
Range:
Similar:

Does everyone know the Mute Swan? It’s certainly what most people know as a swan in the UK and much of Europe, but its range only extends a little further into Asia. I wonder if it has been introduced around the world.

Anyway, it is familiar as the large white swan with orange bill and black knob. As can be seen below, the young are mottled brown with dark bill. Large numbers can be found in the Danube Delta in Romania, but they are also common in pairs on lakes and rivers in the UK, France, Italy etc.

More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Mostardas, Brazil • November 2009

Bird name: Black Necked Swan
Latin: Cygnus melanocoryphus
Other: Cisne-de-pescoço-preto (Br) • Cisne de Cuello Negro (Es)
Family: Anatidae • Swans
Range:
Similar:

The Black-necked Swan, the smallest Cygnus swan, lives in southern South America, migrating north to southern Brazil in the winter. Many could be seen when I visited the Lagoa do Peixe (above) in November (spring-summer). Unfortunately they were a little far for a decent photo.More photos...

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • 2009

Bird name: Black Swan
Latin: Cygnus atratus
Other:
Family: Anatidae • Swans
Range:
Similar:

The Black Swan - endemic to Australia - but seen here in Nice.
More photos...