It has a brownish head with black streaks, beautiful turquoise wings and a completely red bill. The male has a black back whereas the females and juveniles have brown backs. Below is a video I filmed of a pair of Kingfishers: Brown Hooded Kingfisher Size: It weighs around 50g to 75g and the size is…Read More
Author: Rory Wilson
Nahoon Estuary Nature Reserve is Open!
The Nahoon Estuary Nature Reserve (NENR) has spent many months being closed due to the COVID-19 lockdown regulations implemented by the government. But as of 24 August 2020 it has once again opened to the public. Since the re-opening a few weeks ago I have visited the reserve a few times and have not been…Read More
What is a Seahawk?
When you hear the term “Seahawk” most people tend to think of the NFL team “The Seattle Seahawks”. A few teams in the NFL are named after an animal, and a few are named after birds such as the Philadelphia Eagles, the Baltimore Ravens, the Arizona Cardinals and the Atlanta Falcons. Those are all well-known…Read More
Kelp Gull – video of adult and juvenile feeding on fish
How to identify a Kelp Gull The Kelp Gull is a medium-large bird, about 60cm (23in) in length and weighs in at around 1 kilogram (2.2 lbs). The male and female have the same plumage, but the male will be slightly larger. It is white with black back and wings. The bill is bright yellow…Read More
World Albatross Day – 19 June
To raise awareness that thousands of albatrosses, petrels and shearwaters dying every year as a result of fisheries operations and other human-induced threats, the Agreement on the conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP) is inaugurating a World Albatross Day (WAD), to be held annually from 2020 on 19 June, the date the Agreement was signed in 2001. The…Read More
Dark Eyed Junco
How to identify a Dark Eyed Junco Identifying the Dark Eyed Junco is more complicated than doing so with most birds. First you have to acknowledge that there are seven variations of the bird and each one of these has its own identifying marks and characteristics. These seven are: Slate-colored Junco, White-winged Junco, Oregon Junco,…Read More
Submit Your Birding Story
Do you have a birding story that you’d like to get published on Birding Planet? It could be anything: * a simple walk you took where you saw some wonderful birdlife * a dedicated birding holiday/cruise/trip that you participated in * some interesting bird behavior you’ve noticed * highlights from your garden bird feeder *…Read More
Interesting Bird Fact – Penguins Camouflage
While penguins might extremely noticable on land, when they are in the ocean, under the water, their black and white coloring helps them stay camouflaged and hidden from both predators and prey. As they swim, their black backs blend in with the darker ocean water below them so that they’re difficult to be seen by…Read More
Black-Capped Chickadee
How to identify a Black-Capped Chickadee As the name suggests the black-capped chickadee has a black “cap” over his head. This is the most distinguishing feature of the bird. The cap reaches just under his black eyes. It is also has white cheeks on the side of his face and a black “bib” over his…Read More
African Paradise Flycatcher – Diving for Insects Video
I filmed this African Paradise Flycatcher (Terpsiphone viridis) while we were hiking at the Kleinrivier Game Reserve near Uitenhage. It’s a chestnut coloured bird with striking blue eye-rings and a blue bill. The sexes look very similar, but the biggest difference is the length of the tail; the two central tail feathers of the male…Read More
Great Blue Heron – Videos, Photos, Facts
The Great Blue Heron (scientific name: Ardea herodias) is a large wading bird in the heron family Ardeidae. Their conservation status is listed as Least Concern. Their populations are quite widespread and on the increase and therefore do not require special protection. As a migratory species, they are protected under the United States Migratory Bird Treaty Act.…Read More
Cape Robin-Chat: Close up videos of eating habits
South Africa has five Robin-Chats and the Cape Robin-Chat (Cossypha natalensis) is identifiable by its dark back and short, white supercilium. It has a pale orange throat, upper breast and rump. They have black legs, which differentiates them from the juveniles of Chorister Robin-Chat. They are found in a wide range of habitats including thickets,…Read More
Get 6 Great Bird Books and Support Bird Conservation
Some exciting news: for the past few months I have been talking to various bird conservation organizations around the world trying to find the right ones with whom to collaborate. As of now I have partnered with five bird sanctuaries on four different continents in an attempt to raise funds for each of them. They…Read More
Interesting Bird Fact – Guard Ducks Sleep with One Eye Open
Researchers have found that ducks and other birds sometimes sleep with one eye open. When they nap in groups, the ducks on the perimeter keep guard by sleeping with one eye open. While the other ducks sleep more deeply, those on the outside of the circle also keep one hemisphere of their brain awake, even…Read More