I recently took this video of a group of 3 to 4 Crows chasing a Crowned Eagle at international cricket match between South Africa and Bangladesh. The Eagle later got one of the chicks and we saw it flying away with the small bird in it’s talons. Excuse the quality of the footage – I…Read More
How to Take Excellent Bird Photos
Here’s an excellent, comprehensive course by the world-renowned photographer Jared Polin, showing you how to take better bird photos You are more Than AUTO You are smarter than your camera, so why let it make all the decisions for you? Your camera’s Auto feature may give you okay results, but who is happy…Read More
Ian Sinclair’s New SA Bird Pocketbook
From well-known South African Bird expert, Ian Sinclair, comes the latest in Struik Nature’s Pocket Guide series. This book covers an astonishing 500 southern African birds yet is small enough to fit in your pocket. You can also get the kindle version here (at a reduced price) to read on your mobile device. “Birds of…Read More
Hamerkop on Birding Planet
Hamerkop Video
I filmed this Hamerkop on my way home on the outskirts of East London (South Africa). It was crossing the road of the small causeway which provides a nice location for nature and wildlife very close to town. Here’s the HD Video: How to Identify a Hamerkop The Hamerkop (English translation is “Hammer Head”) is…Read More
Grey Crowned Cranes
Crowned Crane HD Video
I filmed this pair of Crowned Cranes on a farm in Stutterheim, Eastern Cape. It is the same place I filmed the Blue Cranes a few years ago. And, just the same as in the Blue Crane video, these Crowned Cranes appeared to putting on the mating dance. Both sexes enjoy dancing, and the breeding…Read More
The Oriental Stork
Birds on the Endangered Species List
I recently found this video of Birds on the Endangered Species List. A big part of Birding Planet’s mission is to bring awareness about birds that are vulnerable or are facing extinction, that is mainly why I set up the donation page. small-header=”false” data-adapt-container-width=”true” data-hide-cover=”false” data-show-facepile=”true”> Birding Planet Endangered species are species that the International…Read More
Arctic Tern
Interesting Bird Fact – The Far Traveling Arctic Tern
Arctic Terns have the longest (in distance) yearly migration of any animal in the world. They travel from the Arctic, where they breed, all the way to Antarctica and back. Literally from one end of the world to the other! They cover a distance of a minimum of 44,000 miles (that’s 71 000 km) every…Read More
Knysna (Turaco) Loerie – HD Video and Story
The Story: This is another bird I saw while trying out a new coffee shop (click here to see all the birds I’ve filmed while visiting coffee shops). It was a treat to get such a clear view of a Knysna Loerie (aka Knysna Turaco) in its natural habitat. It was the first time I…Read More
Black Shouldered Kite on Birding Planet
Black-Shouldered Kite Bird (HD Video)
I filmed this Black-Shouldered Kite at Addo Elephant Park in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. It’s a small raptor which enjoys wide open spaces. It has striking red eyes, and black shoulder patches which make it easily identifiable. The Black-Shouldered Kite likes to eat small rodents. They are often found alone, or in pairs,…Read More
Hoopoe Eating Worm on Birding Plane
Interesting Bird Fact – The Religious Hoopoe
In the Bible, Leviticus 11:13–19, Hoopoes were listed among the animals that are detestable and should not be eaten. They are also listed in Deuteronomy (14:18) as not kosher. Share this!
A male Lady Amherst's Pheasant
Interesting Bird Fact – The Most Colourful Bird in the World (Video)
The Lady Amherst pheasant is found in the desolate mountain regions of China and Tibet, but has also been introduced into England. The male is considered to be one of the most colorful birds in the world. The name commemorates Sarah Countess Amherst, wife of William Pitt Amherst, Governor General of Bengal, who was responsible…Read More
Southern Red Bishop
Southern Red Bishop on Birding Planet (HD Video)
The Story: I filmed this Red Bishop at an outdoor coffee shop which overlooked a pond (not the same place where I filmed the Red-knobbed Coot). There were two or three male Red Bishops flitting in and out of the reeds of the pond, which is a tell-tale sign that it was breeding season as…Read More
Amazing Photos of Young Bird Impaled on Stick
Heidi Wilson sent in these fascinating photos to Birding Planet, of a young bird which had been impaled on a stick in her garden. She theorizes that a Fiscal Shrike (see details and video of Fiscal Shrikes here) raided a nearby nest with a new chick, perhaps a Cuckoo, and then impaled it on the…Read More
Is this a Jackal Buzzard or a Steppe Buzzard?
Birding Planet I am battling to identify this raptor. The video I filmed is below. I think it it either a Jackal Buzzard or a Steppe Buzzard. I filmed it on a farm in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. If you have any ideas, please leave a comment in the comment section below.…Read More
