The Story: South Africa has four types of Orioles, but only this one has a black head. The head, throat and breast are all black. It has an olive-green tail and an orange beak. I filmed this bird at two different locations; in the video the first Oriole (close-up) was filmed in East London, while…Read More
Tag: birdwatching
Black Headed Oriole on Birding Planet
Common Fiscal Shrike on BirdingPlanet.com
Common Fiscal Shrike Birding Video
The Common Fiscal Shrike, also known as Jackie Hangman or the Butcher bird because of its tendency to catch prey and hang it on wire fences as a storehouse. This was another bird I filmed on the outskirts of Stutterheim in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. Size The Fiscal Shrike is 21-23cm long and…Read More
Streaky-Headed Seedeater
I photographed this Streaky-Headed Seedeater recently while in Chinsta, in the Eastern Cape. Part of the Canary family, this bird has a distinct streaky crown. It is often found near Aloes.
Pygmy Falcon (from birdquest-tours.com)
Interesting Bird Fact – Pygmy Falcon – The Tiny Killer
The Pygmy Falcon is the smallest Bird of Prey. It weighs only 60-70g and is only about 150mm from the beak to the tip of the tail. They mainly eat insect and small lizards.
Grey-headed bushshrike on Birdingplanet.com
Grey-Headed Bushshrike Video (aka The Ghost Bird)
The Story: I saw this Grey-Headed Bushshrike one day through my kitchen window;it is the one and only time I have seen this bird in my area. It is a striking bird, with beautiful, bold colours. It has a grey head and yellow eyes. It is olive green along its back. It is also known as the…Read More
Cape Vulture (pic from thegreentimes.co.za)
Breeding Cape Vultures
If you are a fan of Raptors, then you will enjoy seeing a Cape Vulture breeding colony up close. The Mbashe River Gorge at Collywobbles in South Africa’s Eastern Cape currently has approximately 200 pairs of breeding Cape Vultures. At one stage, during the 1980’s, the figure rose to over 300 pairs making it one…Read More
ForkTailed Drongo on Birding Planet
Fork-Tailed Drongo Video
The Story: The Fork-Tailed Drongos are quite common throughout Africa, and I see them often. They also go by the name of African Drongo, Common Drongo or Savanna Drongo. The birds are completely black with the male being a bit more glossy/shiny. It has red eyes and a big head, as indicated in the video…Read More
Hoopoe eating a worm on Birding Planet
African Hoopoe Birding Video (Hoopoe eating Worms)
The Story: This is another bird I filmed while visiting some family on their farm near Stutterheim in the Eastern Cape. The Hoopoe is an easily recognizable bird with is long tapering, black bill and its distinctive ‘crown’ or ‘crest‘ of feathers. It is chestnut coloured and has black and white stripes on the wings and tail. The crest on…Read More
Blue Cranes on Birding Planet
Blue Cranes Mating Dance Video (HD)
The Story: I filmed these Blue Cranes (the national Bird of South Africa) while visiting some family on their farm near Stutterheim in the Eastern Cape. We were quite fortunate to witness the courtship/mating dance beginning to be performed. The male usually starts the dance by jumping up and down flapping his wings, then the…Read More
Pied Kingfisher on Birding Planet
Pied Kingfisher Video (HD)
The Story: I filmed this Pied Kingfisher while on holiday at Kei Mouth. I have filmed quite a few Kingfishers before including one dive-bombing and catching a fish which is always a spectacular sight to watch. The Pied Kingfisher has a black mask over the eyes, a white supercilium (or eyebrows) and black bands across the chest. It…Read More
