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
Birding in Malaysia (part 2)
Part 2 of “Birding in Malaysia” where I saw 300 bird species in 17 days by Mat Wilson Read Part 1 of Birdwatching in West Malaysia here. Birding in Malaysia: Day 4, (6th March) Started the day with a walk up to the lighthouse where we sat and looked out across the Straits. Had really…Read More
Birdwatching in Iowa
A Day of Birdwatching in Rural Southwest Iowa by Phyllis Davis This is part two and follows on from Birding in Iowa part one… …I head through the Loess Bluffs and down into the river valley of the Missouri to continue my Birdwatching in Iowa… Forney’s Lake State Wildlife Management Area is my next destination. There…Read More
Amazing Videos of The Very Rare Atlantic Puffin
For most bird watching enthusiast, keeping an eye out for a rare sighting is of great importance. Seeing an Atlantic Puffin is just such an occasion. Rare Bird For Any Bird Watcher: The Atlantic Puffin Seeing an Atlantic Puffin is a birdwatcher’s “golden egg” as they are an extremely rare bird. If you are building…Read More
Birdwatching in West Malaysia (part 1)
by Mat Wilson In March 2005, I went birdwatching in West Malaysia for the second time in 16 months accompanied by my dad John, with the view of filling some of the holes in our birding lists without straining ourselves too much, as my dad is 72 now and not in the best of health.…Read More
Acorn Woodpeckers Store Nuts in Individual Holes (video)
Acorn woodpeckers store acorns by drilling holes in trees, fence posts, utility poles, and buildings, and depositing their nuts there. They have been known to store up to 50,000 acorns (each in its own tiny hole) in a single tree, called a “granary tree.” See more Woodpecker posts here Read more Fast Fact Bird posts…Read More
Birding in Southwest Iowa
A Day in the Life of a Birder in Rural Southwest Iowa by Phyllis Davis Camera….check, hiking shoes….check, tripod….check, multiple layers….check, bright sun in the sky….check. Looks like the perfect day to scan the beautiful, rural, southwest Iowa countryside for some of my favorite feathered friends. I climb into my Forester, camera always at arms…Read More
Bird Photographer of The Year – Shortlist
Bird Photographer of The Year Announces The Magnificent Shortlist Competing Photos of 2020 For the fifth year now, the prestigious Bird Photographer of the Year (BPOTY) announced the shortlist photographs of 2020. 15,000 images were submitted by photographers from over 60 countries worldwide. (If you haven’t already joined the Birding Planet Facebook group, click here to join)…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
Join Birding Planet’s “Lockdown Birding Challenge”
This is for beginners and pros alike, any skill level and photo quality e.g. cellphone, DSLR, Drone, anything is welcome! For those of you who are in countries where you are not allowed to leave your property, here is the Lockdown Birding Challenge. ????? LOCKDOWN BIRDING CHALLENGE Take a photo or a video of any…Read More
10 Tips on How to Care for your Pet Bird
Taking care of your Pet Bird is important. Pet birds are different than cats and dogs, but they are not any more difficult to keep healthy. So how do you take care of a pet bird? 1. It is important for your bird’s health to keep his environment clean. Water dishes should be washed daily with soap and hot water. The…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
