© GW - monacoeye • All rights reserved • Gambia, Feb 2013

Bird name: Cardinal Woodpecker
Latin: Dendropicos fuscescens
Other: Fr: Pic cardinal
Family: Picidae • Woodpeckers
Range: Sub-Saharan Africa
Similar:

The male Cardinal Woodpecker has a red cap. The female (further below) a black cap.

Below, male Cardinal Woodpecker looking out, Gambia, Feb 2013.
More photos...

© André S - monacoeye • All rights reserved • Tanzania, Oct 2009

Bird name: Dark-capped Bulbul
Latin: Pycnonotus tricolor
Other:
Family: Pycnonotidae • Bulbuls
Range: C, E, SE Africa, incl Tanzania
Similar:

The Dark-capped Bulbul, sent in by André S in Tanzania, treated here as a separate species, but sometimes lumped with Common Bulbul. Brown with light belly and yellow vent.

© Tom C - monacoeye • All rights reserved • Tanzania, July

Bird name: Lesser Striped Swallow
Latin: Cecropis abyssinica
Other: Hirondelle striée (Fr)
Family: Hirundinidae • Swallows & Martins
Range: Widespread Africa, incl Tanzania
Similar:

Many thanks to Tom C for this record of Lesser Striped Swallows in Tanzania.

© Tom C - monacoeye • All rights reserved • Tanzania, July

Bird name: White-browed Robin Chat
Latin: Cossypha heuglini
Other:
Family: Muscicapidae • Old World Flycatchers, Robin Chats
Range: C, E, S Africa
Similar:

Thanks to Tom for this pic of a White-browed Robin Chat.

© Tom C - monacoeye • All rights reserved • Tanzania, July

Bird name: Cape Robin Chat
Latin: Cossypha caffra
Other:
Family: Muscicapidae • Old World Flycatchers, Robin Chats
Range: E, SE, S Africa
Similar:

Thanks to Tom for this pic of a Cape Robin Chat.

© André S - monacoeye, All rights reserved, Ngorongoro, Oct 2009

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

The Greater Double-collared Sunbird photographed by André S near Ngorongoro Crater.


Below, André S, Greater Double-collared Sunbird, Ngorongoro, Oct 2009
More photos...

© Tom C - monacoeye • All rights reserved • Tanzania, July

Bird name: Tropical Boubou
Latin: Laniarius major
Other:
Family: Malaconotidae - Bushshrikes
Range: W, C Africa south to S Zambia, N, C Mozambique
Similar:

Thanks to Tom for this shot of a Tropical Boubou in Tanzania/Kenya.

© Tom C - monacoeye • All rights reserved • Tanzania/Kenya, July

Bird name: Long Tailed Fiscal
Latin: Lanius cabanisi
Other: African Long-tailed Shrike
Family: Laniidae - Shrikes
Range: Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania
Similar:

Thanks to Tom C for this collection of Fiscals from Tanzania/Kenya.

© Tom C - monacoeye • All rights reserved • Tanzania, July

Bird name: Common Fiscal
Latin: Lanius collaris
Other: Southern Fiscal, Northern Fiscal, Pie-grièche fiscale (Fr)
Family: Laniidae - Shrikes
Range: Africa
Similar:

I think the Common Fiscal has now been split into Southern Fiscal and Northern Fiscal. Will update this entry later to reflect that.

© Tom C - monacoeye • All rights reserved • Tanzania, July

Bird name: Grey Backed Fiscal
Latin: Lanius excubitoroides
Other: Gray-backed Fiscal
Family: Laniidae - Shrikes
Range: Burundi, Cameroon, CAR, Chad, DRC, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mali, Mauritania, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda.
Similar:

Thanks to Tom C for this shot of a Grey-backed Fiscal.

© GW - monacoeye • All rights reserved • Gambia • Feb 2013

Bird name: Pied Crow
Latin: Corvus albus
Other: Corbeau pie (Fr)
Family: Corvidae • Crows
Range: Sub-Saharan Africa
Similar:

The Pied Crow is widely distributed throughout sub-Saharan Africa. In Gambia, they were seen in most locations, often flying overhead, or mobbing raptors, but they usually kept their distance.

Alexia W, Pied Crows on the river bank, Kinshasa, DRC
More photos...

© GW - monacoeye • All rights reserved • Gambia • March 2013

Bird name: Fork Tailed Drongo
Latin: Dicrurus adsimilis
Other: Drongo brillant (Fr)
Family: Dicruridae • Drongos
Range: Sub-Saharan Africa
Similar: Square-tailed Drongo

I saw Fork-tailed Drongos on several occasions on my visit to Gambia. These pictures were taken of a pair in Kartong, near the road. The long forked tail is characteristic. Not too shy.

Fork-tailed Drongo, Kartong, Gambia, March 2013


More photos...

© Tom C - monacoeye • All rights reserved • Tanzania, July

Bird name: Rüppell’s Starling
Latin: Lamprotornis purpuroptera
Other: Rueppell's Glossy-starling
Family: Sturnidae • Starlings
Range: NE, E Africa
Similar:

Thanks to Tom C for this shot of a Rüppel’s Starling in Tanzania.

© Tom C - monacoeye • all rights reserved • Gambia, Feb 2013

Bird name: Red-throated Twinspot
Latin: Hypargos niveoguttatus
Other: Peter’s Twinspot
Family: Estrildidae • Estrildid Finches
Range: E, SE Africa
Similar:

Thanks to Tom C for this record pic of a Red-throated Twinspot in Tanzania.

© André S - monacoeye • all rights reserved • Lake Victoria, Oct 2009

Bird name: Blue Capped Cordon Bleu
Latin: Uraeginthus cyanocephalus
Other: Cordonbleu cyanocéphale (Fr), Blaukopfschmetterlingsfink (De), blauwkopastrild (Nl)
Family: Estrildidae • Estrildid Finches, Cordon-bleus
Range: E Africa
Similar:

A Blue-capped Cordon-Bleu seen by André at Lake Victoria in Tanzania.

© Faye L - monacoeye • All rights reserved. Lake Victoria • Oct 2009

Bird name: Hamerkop
Latin: Scopus umbretta
Other: Hammerkop
Family: Scopidae • Hamerkop
Range: Sub-Saharan Africa, Arabia
Similar:

Thanks to Faye for the above photo of the Hamerkop in Kenya. Below seen in various locations in Gambia - flooded fields, riverbanks etc.

The taxonomy of the Hamerkop is unclear. A smallish brown stork-like bird, about the size of a Cattle Egret. In a family and genus of its own. There are several unusual aspects to this bird. Partially webbed feet, very large decorated nests built several times a year, communal displays.

National bird of Gambia!

Below, Hamerkop, Tendaba creek, Gambia, Mar 2013.


Below, Hamerkop, Janjanbureh, Gambia, Mar 2013.

More photos...

© Tom C - monacoeye • Tanzania, July 2011 • All rights reserved

Bird name: Black Headed Heron
Latin: Ardea melanocephala
Other: Héron mélanocéphale (Fr)
Family: Ardeidae • Herons
Range: Sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar
Similar: Grey Heron, Western Reef Heron

The Black-headed Heron is a large African Heron similar to the Grey Heron but with black or very dark grey top of head and back of neck, white throat. Outer wings and back are grey, feet are black, differentiating it from the black Western Reef Heron.

We saw some in a creek near Tendaba, and occasionally elsewhere in coastal Gambia. Thanks to Tom for the photo above from Tanzania.

Below, Black-headed Heron near Tendaba, Gambia, Mar 2013
More photos...

© André S - monacoeye, all rights reserved • Serengeti, Oct 2009

Bird name: Marabou Stork
Latin: Leptoptilos crumeniferus
Other: Marabout d'Afrique (fr),
Family: Ciconiidae • Storks
Range: Sub-Saharan Africa
Similar:

The Marabou Stork is a huge bird, with a wingspan of about three and a half metres. In East Africa it often scavenges at rubbish tips and at carcasses with vultures. This rather grizzly-looking bird is sometimes called the undertaker bird.

We saw Marabou Storks at various locations on the Gambia River, sometimes with Pink-backed Pelicans.

Below, Marabou Stork in tree with Pink-backed Pelicans, Gambia, Mar 2013


Below, Marabou Stork in flight, Gambia River, Mar 2013
More photos...

© GW - monacoeye, all rights reserved. Gambia, Mar 2013.

Bird name: African Harrier Hawk
Latin: Polyboroides typus
Other: Gymnogene. Gymnogène d'Afrique (Fr)
Family: Accipitridae • Hawks, Harriers, Birds of Prey
Range: Sub-Saharan Africa
Similar:

The African Harrier-Hawk - often called Gymnogene - is an interesting raptor with long wings and tail and crest. The adult is predominantly grey, with black wing tips and striped belly, and the juvenile is brown. Seen on several occasions in Gambia during my visit.



Below juvenile African Harrier-Hawk in flight. Kartong, Mar 2013.


Below adult African Harrier-Hawk at water pool. Kartong, Mar 2013.
More photos...

© GW - monacoeye.com, all rights reserved. Gambia, Feb 2013

Bird name: Yellow Billed Kite
Latin: Milvus aegyptius
Other:
Family: Accipitridae • Birds of Prey, Kites
Range: Africa
Similar: Black Kite

The Yellow-billed Kite was thought conspecific with the Black Kite, but is increasingly regarded as a separate allopatric (divided geographically) species, confined to Africa.

The Yellow-billed Kite has a yellow bill, whereas the Black Kite has a black-tipped bill.

Below, Yellow-billed Kite collecting nesting material? Gambia, Feb 2013
More photos...

© GW - monacoeye.com, all rights reserved. Gambia, Mar 2013

Bird name: Dark Chanting Goshawk
Latin: Melierax metabates
Other: Autour sombre (Fr)
Family: Accipitridae • Birds of Prey, Chanting Goshawks
Range: Sub-Saharan Africa (not Congo basin), Morocco, Yemen etc
Similar: Gabar Goshawk

The Dark Chanting Goshawk was also seen on several occasions. In flight it can be identified by white under wings with black tips. Quite a large grey bird with orange bill base and long orange legs. Rounded tail tip. Bigger than Gabar Goshawk.

Dark Chanting Goshawk, Gambia, Mar 2013
More photos...

© Tom C - monacoeye, all rights reserved • Tanzania.

Bird name: Gabar Goshawk
Latin: Micronisus gabar
Other: Autour gabar (Fr)
Family: Accipitridae • Birds of Prey, Goshawks
Range: Widespread Africa
Similar: Dark Chanting Goshawk, Eastern Chanting Goshawk

Many thanks to Tom C for these shots of what are likely Gabar Goshawks in Tanzania.More photos...

© GW - monacoeye.com, all rights reserved. Gambia, Mar 2013

Bird name: Martial Eagle
Latin: Polemaetus bellicosus
Other: Aigle martial (Fr), águila marcial (Es), Águia-belicosa (Pt), Kampfadler (De), aquila marziale (It), vechtarend (Nl)
Family: Accipitridae • Eagles, Birds of Prey
Range: Sub-Saharan Africa
Similar:

The Martial Eagle is a very large powerful eagle. The adult (pictured here) is relatively easy to identify in the Gambia, from its white underside spotted brown, clearly demarcated at the chest. Otherwise dark brown. Slight crest.

We saw this Martial Eagle near the mangroves swamps of Tendaba.

Martial Eagle on top of tree, Tendaba, Gambia, Mar 2013



More photos...

© GW - monacoeye.com, all rights reserved. Gambia, Feb 2013

Bird name: Long Crested Eagle
Latin: Lophaetus occipitalis
Other: Aigle huppard (Fr), águila crestilarga (Es), águia-de-poupa (Pt), Schopfadler (De),
Family: Accipitridae • Eagles, Birds of Prey
Range: Sub-Saharan Africa
Similar:

We saw Long-crested Eagles several times in the Gambia in February. It is one of the easier eagles to identify, when perched at least, because of its very prominent long crest. Quite a small dark eagle. Tarsi are feathered but look quite ‘thin’. In flight large white windows on primaries.

Long-crested Eagle, Tujereng, Gambia, Mar 2013.
More photos...

© Faye L. - monacoeye • All rights reserved, Tanzania, June

Bird name: Yellow-necked Spurfowl
Latin: Pternistis leucoscepus
Other: Francolin à cou jaune (Fr)
Family: Phasianidae - Francolins
Range: Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda.
Similar:

Many thanks to Faye L again for these very nice pictures of Yellow-necked Spurfowl in Tanzania.

Below, Faye’s photo of Yellow-necked Spurfowl in Tanzania.

© Tom C - monacoeye, all rights reserved • Tanzania.

Bird name: Three Banded Courser
Latin: Rhinoptilus cinctus
Other: Heuglin’s Courser. Courvite à triple collier (Fr)
Family: Glareolidae - Coursers
Range: E, SE Africa.
Similar:

Many thanks to Tom C for these shots of the Three-banded Courser in Tanzania.More photos...

© Tom C - monacoeye, all rights reserved • Tanzania.

Bird name: Double Banded Courser
Latin: Rhinoptilus africanus
Other: Two-banded Courser. Courvite à double collier (Fr)
Family: Glareolidae - Coursers
Range: SW, E Africa.
Similar:

Many thanks to Tom C for these shots of the Double-banded Courser in Tanzania.More photos...

© André S - monacoeye • All rights reserved • Oct 2009

Bird name: Water Thick Knee
Latin: Burhinus vermiculatus
Other:
Family: Burhinidae - Stone-curlews, Thick-knees
Range:
Similar: Senegal Thick-knee

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...

Copyright: AS/monacoeye • Tanzania Oct 2009 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Ruff
Latin: Philomachus pugnax
Other: Combatente (Pt) • Combattant varié (Fr) • Kampfläufer (De) • Combatiente (Es) • Combattente (It)
Family: Scolopacidae • Sandpipers
Range: Breeds in Eurasia, winters S&W Europe, Africa, S Asia, Australia
Similar:

I believe these are Ruff. Above in Tanzania, October, below (in more photos) in Danube Delta, May. The male in breeding plumage (not pictured here) is quite spectacular.

Orange legs protrude past tail in flight.More photos...

© André S - monacoeye • Serengeti, Oct 2009. Female Yellow-throated Sandgrouse.

Bird name: Yellow Throated Sandgrouse
Latin: Pterocles gutturalis
Other: Ganga à gorge jaune (Fr), cortiçol-de-garganta-amarela (Pt), geelkeelzandhoen (Nl)
Family: Pteroclididae • Sandgrouse
Range: Angola, Botswana, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Namibia, S Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Similar:

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 with Pigeons in Columbiformes.

Glad to have these photos of the first Sandgrouse on the site, sent in by André and Tom.

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, has a dark neck stripe and facial stripe.

Below, Tom C, male Yellow-throated Sandgrouse, Tanzania.

© Tom C - monacoeye • Tanzania, July.

Bird name: Chestnut Bellied Sandgrouse
Latin: Pterocles exustus
Other: Ganga à ventre brun (Fr), roodbuikzandhoen (Nl)
Family: Pteroclididae • Sandgrouse
Range: C & N Africa, S Asia.
Similar:

The Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse carries water on its back to its young.

© GW - monacoeye, all rights reserved, Gambia, Feb 2013

Bird name: Laughing Dove
Latin: Stigmatopelia senegalensis
Other: Tourterelle maillée (fr),
Family: Columbidae • Pigeons, Doves
Range: Africa, the Middle East and Asia
Similar:

The Laughing Dove was very common in the Gambia, especially around houses, gardens etc. It has a characteristic speckled black crop (front of neck).

Laughing Dove, Gambia, Feb 2013


Laughing Dove, Gambia, Feb 2013
More photos...

© Faye L - monacoeye • All rights reserved, Kenya

Bird name: White Browed Coucal
Latin: Centropus superciliosus
Other: Rainbird, Coucal à sourcils blancs (Fr), Cucal dai sopraccigli bianchi (It)
Family: Cuculidae - Cuckoos, Coucals
Range: Sub-Saharan Africa
Similar: Burchell's Coucal

Many thanks to Faye L and Tom C for providing these shots of White-browed Coucal in Tanzania.

More photos...

© GW - monacoeye, all rights reserved. Brufut Woods, Gambia, Feb 2013.

Bird name: Northern White Faced Owl
Latin: Ptilopsis leucotis
Other: Grand-duc de Verreaux (Fr), Búho lechoso (Es), Bufo-de-verraux (Pt), Milchuhu (De), Gufo latteo (It)
Family: Strigidae • Owls
Range: Widespread sub-Saharan Africa
Similar: African Scops Owl

The Northern White-faced Owl strikes a thin pose when alerted. Otherwise he can look quite chubby (see below).

Below, first record of Northern White-faced Owl at Farakunku Lodge, Feb 2013
More photos...

© GW - monacoeye, all rights reserved. Janjanbureh, Gambia, Mar 2013.

Bird name: Verreaux's Eagle Owl
Latin: Bubo lacteus
Other: Grand-duc de Verreaux (Fr), Búho lechoso (Es), Bufo-de-verraux (Pt), Milchuhu (De), Gufo latteo (It)
Family: Strigidae • Owls
Range: Widespread sub-Saharan Africa
Similar:

Verreaux’s Eagle Owl is a magnificent, powerful owl - the largest in Africa. I saw them on a couple of occasions in the Gambia. One pair was seen in Brufut Woods and another individual in Janjanbureh. They have characteristic pink eyelids.


Below, Verreaux’s Eagle Owls in Brufut Woods, Gambia, Feb 2013
More photos...

© GW - monacoeye, all rights reserved • Marakissa River Lodge, Gambia, Feb 2013

Bird name: Pearl Spotted Owlet
Latin: Glaucidium perlatum
Other: Chevêchette perlée (Fr), mochuelo perlado (Es), Mocho-perlado (Pt), Perl-Sperlingskauz (De)
Family: Strigidae • Owls
Range: Africa south of the Sahara
Similar:

Above, a distant Pearl-spotted Owlet in Marakissa, Gambia.

The guides often use the call of the diurnal Pearl-spotted Owlet to attract mobbing passerines.

© Tom C - monacoeye All rights reserved. Tanzania

Bird name: Meyer’s Parrot
Latin: Poicephalus meyeri
Other: Brown Parrot. Perroquet de Meyer (Fr), lorito de Meyer (Es), Goldbugpapagei (De), pappagallo di Meyer (It)
Family: Psittacidae - Parrots
Range: C Africa: South Africa, Angola to Tanzania
Similar:

Many thanks to Tom C for this shot of Meyer’s Parrot or Brown Parrot in Tanzania.

© Tom C - monacoeye • Tanzania, Feb 2013. All rights reserved

Bird name: Schalow's Turaco
Latin: Tauraco schalowi
Other: Touraco de Schalow (Fr), turaco di Schalow (It), Schalow's turako (Sv), Tauraco schalowi (Pt)
Family: Musophagidae - Turacos
Range: Central Africa: Angola, Botswana, DR Congo, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Similar: Livingstone’s Turaco

Many thanks to Tom C for this shot of Schalow’s Turaco from Tanzania. Schalow’s has the longest crest of the turaco family.

© Tom C - monacoeye • Tanzania. All rights reserved

Bird name: Bare Faced Go Away Bird
Latin: Corythaixoides personatus
Other: Touraco masqué (Fr), Nacktkehl-Lärmvogel (De), Turaco faccianuda (It), Barkindad turako (Sv),
Family: Musophagidae - Turacos, Go-away-birds
Range: East Africa: DRC to Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia, Zambia etc
Similar:

Many thanks to Tom C for this shot of a pair of Bare-faced Go-away-birds in Tanzania

© Tom C - monacoeye • Tanzania. All rights reserved

Bird name: Red and Yellow Barbet
Latin: Trachyphonus erythrocephalus
Other: Barbican à tête rouge (Fr), Flammenkopf-Bartvogel (De),
Family: Lybiidae - African Barbets
Range: East Africa
Similar:

Lovely shot of a Red-and-yellow Barbet above from Tom C, in Tanzania.

And more below from André S, at Olduvai Gorge, and Lake Manyara.More photos...

© AS/monacoeye • Tanzania • Oct 2009. All rights reserved

Bird name: D'Arnaud's Barbet
Latin: Trachyphonus darnaudii
Other:
Family: Lybiidae - African Barbets, Tinkerbirds
Range:
Similar:

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...

© GW - monacoeye • Gambia. All rights reserved

Bird name: Brown Breasted Barbet
Latin: Lybius melanopterus
Other: Barbican à poitrine brune (Fr), Braunbrust-Bartvogel (De)
Family: Lybiidae - African Barbets, Tinkerbirds
Range: East Africa: Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Somalia, Tanzania.
Similar:

Many thanks to Tom C for this record shot of a Brown-breasted Barbet in Tanzania.

© André S - monacoeye • Lake Manyara, Tanzania • Oct 2009 • All rights reserved

Bird name: African Grey Hornbill
Latin: Tockus nasutus
Other: Calao à bec noir (Fr), Toco gris africano (Es), bico-de-serra-cinzento (Pt), Grautoko (De), Grijze tok (Nl)
Family: Bucerotidae - Hornbills
Range: Sub-saharan Africa, incl Tanzania, Gambia. Arabia
Similar:

Nice shot above of a female African Grey Hornbill at Lake Manyara in Tanzania, by André.

The female African Grey Hornbill is distinguished from the male by the red on her bill.

The male African Grey Hornbill’s bill is black, with a small white patch on the upper mandible.

Below, male African Grey Hornbill at Marakissa, the Gambia, Feb 2013. ©
More photos...

© Tom C - monacoeye • Tanzania

Bird name: Von Decken’s Hornbill
Latin: Tockus deckeni
Other: Calao de Decken (Fr), Toco de Von der Decken (Es), Decken-Toko (De), Von der deckens tok (Nl)
Family: Bucerotidae - Hornbills
Range: East Africa, incl Tanzania, Ethiopia, Kenya etc
Similar:

Above, Tom’s photo of a male Von Decken’s Hornbill in the Serengeti in Tanzania. The male has red on the bill whereas the female, below, 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...

© Tom C - monacoeye • Tanzania

Bird name: Southern Ground Hornbill
Latin: Bucorvus leadbeateri
Other: Bucorve du Sud (Fr), cálao terrícola (Es), Südliche Hornrabe (De), zuidelijke hoornraaf (Nl)
Family: Bucorvidae - Ground Hornbills
Range: N Angola, N Angola, N South Africa to Burundi, Kenya, Tanzania
Similar:

The Southern Ground-Hornbill is the largest species of Hornbill - over a metre in length. Photographed above by Tom in Tanzania and below, in the Serengeti, by André.More photos...

© AS/monacoeye • Serengeti • Oct 2009 • All rights reserved

Bird name: Silvery Cheeked Hornbill
Latin: Bycanistes brevis
Other:
Family: Bucerotidae - Hornbills
Range: Africa
Similar:

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...

© AS - monacoeye • Amboseli • Oct 2009

Bird name: African Hoopoe
Latin: Upupa africana
Other: Upupa epops africana • Eurasian Hoopoe, Huppe d'Afrique (Fr),
Family: Upupidae - Hoopoes
Range: Africa
Similar: European Hoopoe

The African Hoopoe is often classed as a subspecies of Eurasian Hoopoe.

Nice shots here sent in by André S and Tom C taken in Amboseli National Park and Tanzania.

They look to me to have different colouring, so may be different subspecies.More photos...

© GW - monacoeye • Gambia, Feb 2013. All rights reserved.

Bird name: Striped Kingfisher
Latin: Halcyon chelicuti
Other: Martin-chasseur strié (Fr), Alción estriado (Es), Streifenliest (De)
Family: Alcedinidae • Kingfishers
Range: Sub-Saharan Africa, incl Gambia, South Africa, Tanzania etc
Similar:

The Striped Kingfisher is a small tree kingfisher that doesn’t live next to water or eat fish. I saw the one above on a walk near Gunjur in an arid semi residential area. Then again in Tujereng Woods in a tree - again during a very dry period in February.

The Striped Kingfisher has red on lower bill, whitish collar below dark eyestripe, slightly streaked chest on white background. Not much colour other than greenish (or blue?) tail feathers.

Below, Striped Kingfisher near Gunjur, Gambia, March 2013


Below, Striped Kingfisher in Tujereng Woods, March 2013
More photos...

© GW - monacoeye • Marakissa, Gambia, Feb 2013. All rights reserved.

Bird name: Giant Kingfisher
Latin: Megaceryle maxima
Other: Martin-pêcheur géant (Fr), martín gigante africano (Es), Guarda-rios gigante (Pt), Riesenfischer (De)
Family: Alcedinidae • Kingfishers
Range: Sub-Saharan Africa
Similar:

The Giant Kingfisher is a very large kingfisher, closely related to the Ringed Kingfisher of South America.

I saw male Giant Kingfishers at Abuko Woods and Marakissa River Lodge. The male has a rufous chest, the female a rufous belly.

Giant Kingfisher near lake at Abuko Woods, Gambia, February 2013.
More photos...

Copyright: TC - monacoeye • Ngorongoro • All rights reserved

Bird name: Lilac Breasted Roller
Latin: Coracias caudatus
Other:
Family: Coraciidae • Rollers
Range: Sub-saharan Africa, Arabian Peninsular
Similar:

Great photos from Tom, Faye and André of the colourful Lilac-breasted Roller in Tanzania

There are 11 species of Roller in the Old World, six of them now illustrated on this site!


Below: Faye L sent in this pic of a Lilac-breasted Roller in Tanzania

More photos...

Copyright: GW - monacoeye • Gambia, Feb 2013 • All rights reserved

Bird name: Little Bee Eater
Latin: Merops pusillus
Other: Guêpier nain (Fr), Abejaruco chico (Es), Zwergspint (De)
Family: Meropidae • Bee Eaters
Range: Sub-saharan Africa, incl Gambia, Tanzania, Namibia etc
Similar:

The Little Bee-eater is found throughout much of sub-Saharan Africa. I saw them fairly frequently in dry scrubland near the coast in Gambia, often in pairs or groups.

The Little Bee-Eater has a bright yellow throat, bright red iris, black eye stripe, ochre belly bordered at the neck by a black line, greenish head and back. Sometimes visible a blue supercilium (different subspecies?).

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.

Below, Little Bee-eater in the dry season, Gambia, February.
More photos...

Copyright: FL - monacoeye • Tanzania, Jun 2012 • All rights reserved

Bird name: White Throated Bee Eater
Latin: Merops albicollis
Other: Guêpier à à gorge blanche (Fr), Schwalbenschwanzspint (De)
Family: Meropidae • Bee Eaters
Range: Breeds southern edge of Sahara Africa, winters Senegal to Uganda.
Similar:

Many thanks to Faye for sending in this photo of White-throated Bee-eater in Tanzania.More photos...

Copyright: AS - monacoeye • Ngorongoro • Oct 2009 • All rights reserved

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

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/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...

Copyright TC/monacoeye • Tanzania

Bird name: Pygmy Falcon
Latin: Polihierax semitorquatus
Other: African Pygmy Falcon
Family: Falconidae • Falcons
Range: E, S Africa: Sudan, Somalia, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania; Angola, South Africa
Similar:

Thanks to Tom for this shot of the East African Pygmy Falcon - P. s. castanonotus - in Tanzania. The smallest of all raptors in Africa.

Bird name: Eastern Chanting Goshawk
Latin: Melierax poliopterus
Other: Pale Chanting Goshawk • Autour à ailes grises (Fr)
Family: Accipitridae • Chanting Goshawks, Birds of Prey
Range: East Africa
Similar:

Copyright: TC/monacoeye • Tanzania • All rights reserved

Bird name: Augur Buzzard
Latin: Buteo augur
Other: Buse augure (Fr)
Family: Accipitridae • Buzzards, Birds of Prey
Range: Ethiopia to Angola, Namibia, incl Tanzania
Similar:

An Augur Buzzard from Tanzania - thanks to Tom for this nice shot.

Copyright: TC/monacoeye • Do not copy • Tanzania

Bird name: Saddle Billed Stork
Latin: Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis
Other: Jabiru d'Afrique (Fr)
Family: Ciconiidae • Storks
Range: Widespread Sub-Saharan Africa
Similar:

Thanks to Tom for adding these photos of the Saddle-billed Stork. A huge bird standing 1.50 high, wth a wingspan of 2.5m. Pictured above, a male, from the dark irises - females have yellow irises.More photos...

© Tom C - monacoeye • Tanzania, Aug 2011 • All rights reserved

Bird name: Goliath Heron
Latin: Ardea goliath
Other: Héron goliath (Fr)
Family: Ardeidae • Herons
Range: Sub-Saharan Africa
Similar: Purple Heron, which is smaller.

The world’s largest heron - about 1.5 metres tall - seen here in Tanzania. Thanks to Tom for this photo.

Copyright: TC/monacoeye • Tanzania • August 2011 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Hadada Ibis
Latin: Bostrychia hagedash
Other: Hadada • Ibis hagedash (Fr)
Family: Threskiornithidae • Ibises
Range: South, Central and East Africa - Sudan to South Africa
Similar:

White moustache is diagnostic for the Hadada Ibis. Thanks to Tom for sending in this shot from Tanzania.

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

Bird name: Lesser Masked Weaver
Latin: Ploceus intermedius
Other:
Family: Ploceidae • Weavers
Range:
Similar:

This probable Lesser Masked Weaver was seen at Lake Victoria in Tanzania.

The IDs of these yellow weavers should probably be treated with care - there are quite a number of possibles and significant variations in breeding, non-breeding, juvenile and female plumages.

Below, in “more photos”, more examples from Congo.More photos...

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

Bird name: Tawny Eagle
Latin: Aquila rapax
Other:
Family: Accipitridae • Eagles

A couple of nice shots of Tawny Eagles, sent in by André, taken in the Serengeti. These large eagles breed in Africa and Asia, and all the way to India.

Aquila eagles can be identified by their feathered legs. The Tawny Eagle is known for its slightly scruffy appearance.More photos...

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

Bird name: Magpie Shrike
Latin: Urolestes melanoleucus
Other: African Long-tailed Shrike
Family: Laniidae - Shrikes
Range:
Similar:

Here are a couple of Magpie Shrikes seen in the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania.

Identified by their long tail feathers and black and white markings.More photos...

© André S - monacoeye • all rights reserved • Tanzania, Oct 2009

Bird name: Purple Grenadier
Latin: Uraeginthus ianthinogaster
Other:
Family: Estrildidae • Estrildid Finches
Range:
Similar:

A couple of record shots of a male Purple Grenadier taken near Olduvai Gorge in Tanzania, by André, showing the main distinguishing features.
More photos...

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

Bird name: Yellow Billed Oxpecker
Latin: Buphagus africanus
Other:
Family: Buphagidae • Oxpeckers

These Yellow-billed Oxpeckers are picking ticks off an Eland in the Serengeti in Tanzania.

The Yellow-billed Oxpecker can be differentiated from the Red-billed Oxpecker by the yellow base to its bill. It lives in a wide band of sub-Saharan Africa.More photos...

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

Bird name: Red Winged Starling
Latin: Onychognathus morio
Other:
Family: Sturnidae • Starlings

The characteristic red patch of this male Red-winged Starling is hidden behind the plants.

The Red-winged Starling lives in eastern Africa - this photo was taken in Ngorongoro in Tanzania.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 • Old World Flycatchers, Palm Thrushes
Range:
Similar:

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...

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...

© André S - monacoeye • All rights reserved. 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: Ngorongoro • Oct 2009

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

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
Range:
Similar:

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
Range:
Similar:

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
Range:
Similar:

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...

© AS/monacoeye • Ngorongoro • Oct 2009. All rights reserved

Bird name: Grey Crowned Crane
Latin: Balearica regulorum
Other: Gray Crowned Crane
Family: Gruidae - Cranes
Range:
Similar:

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: Lake Victoria • Oct 2009

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

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.