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
Category: Bird Video
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
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
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
Olive Woodpecker pecking bark and finding insects (video)
This is a male Olive Woodpecker I filmed in East London, South Africa. I filmed him from my yard as part of the #LockdownBirdingChallenge in our Facebook Group. He was pecking away at the bark and seemed to find a small feast of ants and insects. He has a grey head, olive body and red…Read More
Pale Chanting Goshawk Videos of Eating Prey
I filmed this Pale Chanting Goshawk for during our hike through the Kleinrivier Wilderness. It has long, orange legs, pale yellow eyes and a pinkish orange cere (upper bill). They like to perch high up on tree tops or telephone poles (as this one was when I filmed it) scanning the ground for prey. They…Read More
Dark Backed Weaver Video
The Dark Backed Weaver is a Forest Weaver with black-brown upperparts and a striking golden breast and belly. They have a grey-coloured throat and can often be confused with the Olive Headed Weaver. They are monogamous, territorial and generally can be found in forest areas. Below is the HD video I filmed of the Dark…Read More
Bronze Mannikins balancing while eating grass seeds in the wind
I filmed these Bronze Mannikins at my local estuary. While the Mannikins are very common, I just enjoyed being able to see them pick the grass seeds off at such a close range. I marveled at how well they balanced on such a slender stem of grass which was swaying so much in the wind.…Read More
Cape Batis video
This was another lifer for me; the Cape Batis. It is a Flycatcher-like bird which is closely related to helmetshrikes and bushrikes. It has a large head and a thick, black eye-mask and golden eyes (female’s eyes are reddish). It has a black breast band. HD Video of the male Cape Batis: