Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Birds and wildlife of Serranía de Ronda

Winter is always a hard time for wildlife, even in the more temperate climes of the Serranía de Ronda. January has been a real mixed bag in terms of the weather, rain (although insufficient for now), snow, high winds and blue sunny days, although our nighttimes have been plagued by more than our fair share of frosts even at night temperatures above freezing! Whatever the weather, whatever the time of year, getting up and into my mountains is just so rewarding and my local scenery always amazing.

Tim Appleton birding the Serrania de Ronda
My month has been hectic, sorting out tours, finishing outstanding trip reports, preparing for another journey to Costa Rica, getting fellow travellers up to speed and informed on all the details of the tour they need in order to prepare. Yet, the call of my mountains beckoned on several occasions and not least taking a very old friend with me to share and indulge in the amazing wildlife of the Serranía de Ronda. It was great to see Tim Appleton and spend time together searching for and finding a large list of target birds, although we did dip on Alpine Accentor!

Dartford Warbler putting on a fine show whilst impressing his mate
High points for January were finding one of my resident pairs of Bonelli’s Eagle back on territory (they were displaced by Griffon Vulture last year) and displaying, nest building and generally giving me some real thrills and memorable moments. Another was setting out with Brenda, my wife, to find early signs of Giant Orchid; we were successful and enjoyed many other flowering plants on the day. Finding very showy Dartford Warbler and Rock Bunting also made my journeys rewarding, funny how Rock Bunting are so obvious right now, they become a fairly difficult bird later in the year.

Stunning views from our 'new' photography hide near Ronda
It was also great to see our ‘new’ photography hide welcome it’s first client. The hide has been a long time in the making, complete with interior toilet and wash basin. Set in an ancient oak forest and standing within a clearing it provides amazing scenery from the hide windows and of course has a water feature for all the resident and visiting birds. I can’t wait until the Spring and see some of the summer visitors coming to feed and drink in front of this luxury facility, Sub-alpine, Bonelli’s and Orphean Warbler are just some we expect on a regular basis, with Nightingale and Iberian Chiffchaff a couple of others I particularly want to photograph. The woodland holds a few pairs of Booted Eagle and a nesting site close-by for Short-toed Eagle, so expectations are running high!

Bonelli's Eagle male fly by, not a brilliant photo, but a brilliant bird!
Hopefully my upcoming tour to Costa Rica will be as productive as my last visit, I have led 10 tours there previously, but even as an exotic destination as this will not dampen my yearning to return to my mountains and experience its wonderful wildlife.

Rock Bunting has been another showy bird during January.

Some snaps from January and hope you will enjoy them.

Broad-leafed Iris an abundant winter bloom
White Wagtail are a very common winter visitor, but scarce in summer.
Paperwhite Narcissus is a very common winter bloom 
Our scenery here can be so beautiful
Little Egret adds a touch of elegance to the shores of our lakes
Chiffchaff provides winter entertainment in abundance!
Red Deer and also Ibex can be more obvious in winter
Libar track can be such a rewarding route in winter
Griffon Vulture flies over the 'new' photography hide near Ronda

To see other destinations I visit, please see our main website. Thank you

CLICK HERE TO VIEW OUR MAIN WEBSITE

Thursday, January 15, 2015

Birding Málaga - Andalucia Spain

Of the 8 provinces that make-up Andalucia, the most southern region in Spain, Málaga has the greatest diversity for its range of habitats and of course this translates into a huge abundance of wildlife. It represents a remarkable area for visiting naturalists and in particular birdwatchers / birders. There are very few bird species recorded in the entire Iberian Peninsula, which have not occurred in Andalucia, with Málaga Province the birding epicentre and prime site for both resident and visiting birdwatchers.


The website Birding Málaga is a portal for assisting those visiting the area for wildlife and particularly birds. The website is full of useful information for finding specific species, prized birding sites and routes designed to help you get the most out of a visit. The campaign, not just to promote nature in the province, but also to inform likely interested groups or individuals, is organised by the Diputación de Málaga.


Birding in Málaga opens up a world full of possibilities, the diversity of habitats translates into a wide range of bird species. From high mountains and rocky crags, to stunning saline lagoons to open countryside, we have it all. We have Fuente de Piedra, the largest inland salt lake in Spain, where a huge population of Greater Flamingo reside and is a must visit area to see wetland birds of the region. Travel just a short distance and you are surrounded by high limestone mountains, the realm of our most emblematic bird the Bonelli’s Eagle. In fact, the changes in habitat and scenery are always a constant surprise to visitors; you can be in green rolling hillsides one minute and in a forested area the next. From the endemic forests of El Pinsapo (Spanish fir) you pass into oak forests, where many different species of oak can be present. Remarkably these oak forests hold good numbers of birds normally associated with coniferous woodlands such as Crested Tit. Just to add to the attraction of this wonderful province, access is available from any major airport in Europe, to the international Málaga Airport, making a visit inexpensive and very easy.


This year, at the upcoming Fitur 2015 exhibition for tourism, it has been decided to enter Birding Málaga for the prize of the best product for Nature Tourism active during the course of Fitur 2015, the competition is organised by the magazine Open Air. Birding Málaga are in the third category Nature Tourism. You can vote on this link http://airelibre.eu/outside/Fitur2015/fiturconcurso10.php and at the same time participate in the 'sorteo' for a prize of two nights free in a hotel. Voting will take no more than 5 minutes and it will be of great help to promote wildlife/bird tourism in our province. Thank you so much for your indulgence.


We have recently created a new 'Facebook' page to help us inform people of the rich bird life Málaga Province has to offer. Here we can answer queries or questions about wildlife in general as well as guide you to the best birding sites in the region. Why not join our group page? Please request membership to this public group by clicking here.



From us all here in Málaga Province, we look forward to welcoming you to our home!

Saturday, January 10, 2015

South Africa Birds and Mammals (Part 5)

The last episode in my series of the trip reports come blogs for our South African tour. Here you will find the list of bird species and mammals, which excludes other wildlife such as flowers, reptiles and some spectacular insects. Maybe that is a reason to return later with another blog on the tour! Our final tally for birds seen was around 470 species and a count of 52 mammal species, an excellent return and proved to me the worth of visiting this great destination for those interested in wildlife. I hope you enjoy scanning through the lists and of course photos.

South Africa THE tour: Part 5 of the trip report/blog a systematic list of bird and mammal species
Tour Leader: Peter Jones (Worldwide Birding Tours, Co-author and Editor)
                              Dylan Vasapolli (Bird Guide and Main Author)

Blue-cheeked Bee Eater
Preface. Because of the length of this tour, 3 weeks, there is so much to tell you and thus I have broken this blog, or more correctly Trip Report, into 5 parts! The final part will be a bird species list and a mammal list. I hope you can forgive the drawn out nature of these information packed day by day accounts of my tour. This comprehensive tour of South Africa by Worldwide Birding Tours undertook a 3-week journey across eastern South Africa, and down into the Western Cape of South Africa. Starting in Durban on the scenic Kwazulu-Natal coast, we slowly worked our way northwards taking in the rolling hills and forests of Eshowe down to the coastal forest and bushveld of the greater Isimangaliso Wetland Park, before heading up to the high-altitudinal grasslands surrounding the endemic hotspot of Wakkerstroom. Kruger was next on the agenda, where a few days were spent enjoying this true natural side of Africa, before heading onto Cape Town and the Western Cape via Dullstroom. Some time was spent on the Cape Peninsula itself, before heading up the west coast to the sleepy village of Langebaan, thereby bring the tour to an end some three weeks later. Due to the length of the tour, and variety of habitats taken in, a mammoth total of nearly 470 species of bird were found on the tour!

Lizard Buzzard

Common name                                                    Scientific name
SRTUTHIONIFORMES                                        
Ostriches (Struthionidae)
Common Ostrich                                                   Struthio camelus
                                                                                  
ANSERIFORMES                                                  
Ducks, Geese and Swans (Anatidae)
White-faced Whistling Duck                                 Dendrocygna viduata
Spur-winged Goose                                              Plectropterus gambensis
Knob-billed Duck                                                 Sarkidiornis melanotos
Egyptian Goose                                                    Alopochen aegyptiaca
South African Shelduck                                        Tadorna cana
Cape Teal                                              Anas capensis
African Black Duck                                              Anas sparsa
Yellow-billed Duck                                               Anas undulata
Cape Shoveler                                         Anas smithii
Red-billed Teal                                                     Anas erythrorhyncha
Hottentot Teal                                                     Anas hottentota
Southern Pochard                                                Netta erythrophthalma
Maccoa Duck                                                      Oxyura maccoa
                                                                                  
GALLIFORMES                                                     
Guineafowl (Numididae)
Helmeted Guineafowl                                         Numida meleagris
Crested Guineafowl                                            Guttera pucherani
                                                                                  
Pheasants and allies (Phasianidae)
Grey-winged Francolin                                       Scleroptila afra
Crested Francolin                                                Dendroperdix sephaena
Cape Spurfowl                                       Pternistis capensis
Natal Spurfowl                                                   Pternistis natalensis
Swainson's Spurfowl                                          Pternistis swainsonii
Common Quail                                                   Coturnix coturnix
                                                                                  
SPHENISCIFORMES                                           
Penguins (Spheniscidae)
African Penguin                                                  Spheniscus demersus
                                                                                  
PROCELLARIIFORMES                                      
Albatrosses (Diomedeidae)
Black-browed Albatross                                     Thalassarche melanophris
Shy Albatross                                                     Thalassarche cauta
Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross                       Thalassarche chlororhynchos
Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross                          Thalassarche carteri
                                                                                  
Petrels, Shearwaters (Procellariidae)
Southern Giant Petrel                                          Macronectes giganteus
Northern Giant Petrel                                          Macronectes halli
White-chinned Petrel                                           Procellaria aequinoctialis
Cory's Shearwater                                               Calonectris borealis
Sooty Shearwater                                                Puffinus griseus
Great Shearwater                                                 Puffinus gravis
                                                                                  
Storm Petrels (Hydrobatidae)
Wilson's Storm Petrel                                          Oceanites oceanicus
                                                                                  
PODICIPEDIFORMES                                          
Grebes (Podicipedidae)
Little Grebe                                                         Tachybaptus ruficollis
Great Crested Grebe                                           Podiceps cristatus
Black-necked Grebe                                            Podiceps nigricollis
                                                                                  
PHOENICOPTERIFORMES                                
Flamingos (Phoenicopteridae)
Greater Flamingo                                                 Phoenicopterus roseus
Lesser Flamingo                                                  Phoeniconaias minor
                                                                                  
CICONIIFORMES                                                  
Storks (Ciconiidae)
Yellow-billed Stork                                              Mycteria ibis
African Openbill                                                  Anastomus lamelligerus
Black Stork                                                          Ciconia nigra
Abdim's Stork                                                      Ciconia abdimii
Woolly-necked Stork                                           Ciconia episcopus
Saddle-billed Stork                                               Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis
Marabou Stork                                                    Leptoptilos crumenifer

Hadeda Ibis
PELECANIFORMES                                             
Ibises, Spoonbills (Threskiornithidae)
African Sacred Ibis                                              Threskiornis aethiopicus
Southern Bald Ibis                                               Geronticus calvus
Hadada Ibis                                                          Bostrychia hagedash
Glossy Ibis                                                          Plegadis falcinellus
African Spoonbill                                                Platalea alba
                                                                                  
Herons, Bitterns (Ardeidae)
Striated Heron                                                     Butorides striata
Squacco Heron                                                    Ardeola ralloides
Western Cattle Egret                                           Bubulcus ibis
Grey Heron                                                         Ardea cinerea
Black-headed Heron                                            Ardea melanocephala
Goliath Heron                                                     Ardea goliath
Purple Heron                                                      Ardea purpurea
Great Egret                                                         Ardea alba
Intermediate Egret                                              Egretta intermedia
Little Egret                                                         Egretta garzetta
                                                                                  
Hamerkop (Scopidae)
Hamerkop                                                          Scopus umbretta
                                                                                  
Pelicans (Pelecanidae)
Great White Pelican                                           Pelecanus onocrotalus
Pink-backed Pelican                                           Pelecanus rufescens
                                                                                  
SULIFORMES                                                        
Gannets, Boobies (Sulidae)
Cape Gannet                                        Morus capensis
                                                                                  
Cormorants, Shags (Phalacrocoracidae)
Reed Cormorant                                                Microcarbo africanus
Crowned Cormorant                                         Microcarbo coronatus
Bank Cormorant                                               Phalacrocorax neglectus
White-breasted Cormorant                               Phalacrocorax lucidus
Cape Cormorant                                   Phalacrocorax capensis
                                                                                  
Anhingas, Darters (Anhingidae)
African Darter                                                  Anhinga rufa
                                                                                  
ACCIPITRIFORMES                                             
Secretarybird (Sagittariidae)
Secretarybird                                                    Sagittarius serpentarius
                                                                                  
Ospreys (Pandionidae)
Western Osprey                                              Pandion haliaetus

Jackal Buzzard
Kites, Hawks and Eagles (Accipitridae)
Black-winged Kite                                           Elanus caeruleus
African Harrier-Hawk                                     Polyboroides typus
Palm-nut Vulture                                            Gypohierax angolensis
European Honey Buzzard                             Pernis apivorus
Hooded Vulture                                              Necrosyrtes monachus
White-backed Vulture                                     Gyps africanus
Cape Vulture                                      Gyps coprotheres
White-headed Vulture                                     Trigonoceps occipitalis
Lappet-faced Vulture                                      Torgos tracheliotos
Black-chested Snake Eagle                              Circaetus pectoralis
Brown Snake Eagle                                         Circaetus cinereus
Southern Banded Snake Eagle                        Circaetus fasciolatus
Bateleur                                                           Terathopius ecaudatus
Crowned Eagle                                                Stephanoaetus coronatus
Martial Eagle                                                   Polemaetus bellicosus
Long-crested Eagle                                          Lophaetus occipitalis
Lesser Spotted Eagle                                       Clanga pomarina
Wahlberg's Eagle                                              Hieraaetus wahlbergi
Booted Eagle                                                    Hieraaetus pennatus
Tawny Eagle                                                    Aquila rapax
Steppe Eagle                                                    Aquila nipalensis
Verreaux's Eagle                                               Aquila verreauxii
African Hawk-Eagle                                        Aquila spilogaster
Lizard Buzzard                                                Kaupifalco monogrammicus
African Goshawk                                             Accipiter tachiro
Little Sparrowhawk                                         Accipiter minullus
Black Sparrowhawk                                         Accipiter melanoleucus
African Marsh Harrier                                      Circus ranivorus
Black Harrier                                                    Circus maurus
Montagu's Harrier                                            Circus pygargus
Yellow-billed Kite                                            Milvus aegyptius
African Fish Eagle                                            Haliaeetus vocifer
Common Buzzard                                            Buteo buteo
Jackal Buzzard                                                 Buteo rufofuscus
                                                                                  
OTIDIFORMES                                                      
Bustards (Otididae)
Kori Bustard                                                    Ardeotis kori
Denham's Bustard                                           Neotis denhami
White-bellied Bustard                                      Eupodotis senegalensis
Blue Korhaan                                                   Eupodotis caerulescens
Red-crested Korhaan                                        Lophotis ruficrista
Southern Black Korhaan                                  Afrotis afra
Black-bellied Bustard                                       Lissotis melanogaster
                                                                                  
GRUIFORMES                                                       
Rails, Crakes and Coots (Rallidae)
African Rail                                                      Rallus caerulescens
Black Crake                                                      Amaurornis flavirostra
African Swamphen                                           Porphyrio madagascariensis
Common Moorhen                                           Gallinula chloropus
Red-knobbed Coot                                            Fulica cristata
                                                                                  
Cranes (Gruidae)
Grey Crowned Crane                                        Balearica regulorum
Blue Crane                                                        Grus paradisea
                                                                                  
CHARADRIIFORMES                                          
Stone-curlews, Thick-knees (Burhinidae)
Water Thick-knee                                              Burhinus vermiculatus
Spotted Thick-knee                                           Burhinus capensis
                                                                                  
Oystercatchers (Haematopodidae)
African Oystercatcher                                       Haematopus moquini
                                                                                  
Stilts, Avocets (Recurvirostridae)
Black-winged Stilt                                             Himantopus himantopus
Pied Avocet                                                       Recurvirostra avosetta

African Wattled Lapwing
Plovers (Charadriidae)
Blacksmith Lapwing                                         Vanellus armatus
White-crowned Lapwing                                  Vanellus albiceps
Senegal Lapwing                                               Vanellus lugubris
Black-winged Lapwing                                     Vanellus melanopterus
Crowned Lapwing                                             Vanellus coronatus
African Wattled Lapwing                                  Vanellus senegallus
Grey Plover                                                        Pluvialis squatarola
Common Ringed Plover                                     Charadrius hiaticula
Kittlitz's Plover                                                 Charadrius pecuarius
Three-banded Plover                                          Charadrius tricollaris
White-fronted Plover                                         Charadrius marginatus
Greater Sand Plover                                           Charadrius leschenaultii
Caspian Plover                                                   Charadrius asiaticus
                                                                                  
Jacanas (Jacanidae)
African Jacana                                                     Actophilornis africanus
                                                                                  
Sandpipers, Snipes (Scolopacidae)
Bar-tailed Godwit                                               Limosa lapponica
Whimbrel                                                           Numenius phaeopus
Eurasian Curlew                                                Numenius arquata
Marsh Sandpiper                                               Tringa stagnatilis
Common Greenshank                                        Tringa nebularia
Green Sandpiper                                                Tringa ochropus
Wood Sandpiper                                                Tringa glareola
Terek Sandpiper                                                Xenus cinereus
Common Sandpiper                                          Actitis hypoleucos
Ruddy Turnstone                                              Arenaria interpres
Red Knot                                                           Calidris canutus
Sanderling                                                          Calidris alba
Little Stint                                                         Calidris minuta
Curlew Sandpiper                                             Calidris ferruginea
Ruff                                                                   Philomachus pugnax
                                                                                  
Coursers, Pratincoles (Glareolidae)
Collared Pratincole                                            Glareola pratincola
                                                                                  
Gulls, Terns and Skimmers (Laridae)
Sabine's Gull                                                      Xema sabini
Grey-headed Gull                                              Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus
Hartlaub's Gull                                                  Chroicocephalus hartlaubii
Kelp Gull                                                           Larus dominicanus
Caspian Tern                                                     Hydroprogne caspia
Greater Crested Tern                                        Thalasseus bergii
Sandwich Tern                                                  Thalasseus sandvicensis
Little Tern                                                         Sternula albifrons
Common Tern                                                    Sterna hirundo
Arctic Tern                                                         Sterna paradisaea
Whiskered Tern                                                 Chlidonias hybrida
                                                                                  
Skuas (Stercorariidae)
Brown Skua                                                       Stercorarius antarcticus
Parasitic Jaeger                                                  Stercorarius parasiticus
                                                                                  
COLUMBIFORMES                                              
Pigeons, Doves (Columbidae)
Rock Dove                                                        Columba livia
Speckled Pigeon                                                Columba guinea
African Olive Pigeon                                         Columba arquatrix
Eastern Bronze-naped Pigeon                           Columba delegorguei
Mourning Collared Dove                                  Streptopelia decipiens
Red-eyed Dove                                                 Streptopelia semitorquata
Ring-necked Dove                                             Streptopelia capicola
Laughing Dove                                                  Spilopelia senegalensis
Emerald-spotted Wood Dove                           Turtur chalcospilos
Tambourine Dove                                              Turtur tympanistria
Namaqua Dove                                                  Oena capensis
African Green Pigeon                                         Treron calvus
                                                                                  
MUSOPHAGIFORMES                                        
Turacos (Musophagidae)
Livingstone's Turaco                                         Tauraco livingstonii
Knysna Turaco                                                  Tauraco corythaix
Purple-crested Turaco                                       Tauraco porphyreolophus
Grey Go-away-bird                                           Corythaixoides concolor

African Emerald Cuckoo
CUCULIFORMES                                                 
Cuckoos (Cuculidae)
Burchell's Coucal                                                Centropus burchellii
Green Malkoha                                                  Ceuthmochares australis
Levaillant's Cuckoo                                            Clamator levaillantii
Jacobin Cuckoo                                                  Clamator jacobinus
Diederik Cuckoo                                                Chrysococcyx caprius
Klaas's Cuckoo                                                   Chrysococcyx klaas
African Emerald Cuckoo                                    Chrysococcyx cupreus
Black Cuckoo                                                     Cuculus clamosus
Red-chested Cuckoo                                           Cuculus solitarius
African Cuckoo                                                  Cuculus gularis
                                                                                  
STRIGIFORMES                                                    
Owls (Strigidae)
African Scops Owl                                              Otus senegalensis
Spotted Eagle-Owl                                               Bubo africanus
Verreaux's Eagle-Owl                                           Bubo lacteus
African Wood Owl                                              Strix woodfordii
Pearl-spotted Owlet                                            Glaucidium perlatum
African Barred Owlet                                          Glaucidium capense
                                                                                  
APODIFORMES                                                    
Swifts (Apodidae)
African Palm Swift                                               Cypsiurus parvus
Alpine Swift                                                         Tachymarptis melba
African Black Swift                                              Apus barbatus
Little Swift                                                           Apus affinis
White-rumped Swift                                             Apus caffer
                                                                                  
COLIIFORMES                                                      
Mousebirds (Coliidae)
Speckled Mousebird                                           Colius striatus
White-backed Mousebird                                   Colius colius
Red-faced Mousebird                                         Urocolius indicus
                                                                                  
TROGONIFORMES                                              
Trogons (Trogonidae)
Narina Trogon                                                     Apaloderma narina
                                                                                  
CORACIIFORMES                                                
Rollers (Coraciidae)
Purple Roller                                                      Coracias naevius
Lilac-breasted Roller                                          Coracias caudatus
European Roller                                                 Coracias garrulus
Broad-billed Roller                                             Eurystomus glaucurus

Brown-hooded Kingfisher
Kingfishers (Alcedinidae)
Brown-hooded Kingfisher                                  Halcyon albiventris
Striped Kingfisher                                              Halcyon chelicuti
Woodland Kingfisher                                         Halcyon senegalensis
African Pygmy Kingfisher                                 Ispidina picta
Malachite Kingfisher                                         Corythornis cristatus
Giant Kingfisher                                                Megaceryle maxima
Pied Kingfisher                                                  Ceryle rudis
                                                                                  
Bee-eaters (Meropidae)
Little Bee-eater                                                  Merops pusillus
White-fronted Bee-eater                                    Merops bullockoides
Blue-cheeked Bee-eater                                     Merops persicus
European Bee-eater                                           Merops apiaster
Southern Carmine Bee-eater                             Merops nubicoides
                                                                                  
BUCEROTIFORMES                                            
Hoopoes (Upupidae)
African Hoopoe                                               Upupa africana
                                                                                  
Wood Hoopoes (Phoeniculidae)
Green Wood Hoopoe                                      Phoeniculus purpureus
Common Scimitarbill                                      Rhinopomastus cyanomelas
                                                                                  
Hornbills (Bucerotidae)
Crowned Hornbill                                           Tockus alboterminatus
African Grey Hornbill                                    Tockus nasutus
Southern Red-billed Hornbill                          Tockus rufirostris
Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill                     Tockus leucomelas
Trumpeter Hornbill                                        Bycanistes bucinator
                                                                                  
Ground Hornbills (Bucorvidae)
Southern Ground Hornbill                              Bucorvus leadbeateri
                                                                                  
PICIFORMES                                                         
African Barbets (Lybiidae)
White-eared Barbet                                         Stactolaema leucotis
Green Barbet                                                   Stactolaema olivacea
Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird                             Pogoniulus bilineatus
Red-fronted Tinkerbird                                   Pogoniulus pusillus
Acacia Pied Barbet                                          Tricholaema leucomelas
Black-collared Barbet                                      Lybius torquatus
Crested Barbet                                                Trachyphonus vaillantii
                                                                                  
Honeyguides (Indicatoridae)
Lesser Honeyguide                                          Indicator minor
Scaly-throated Honeyguide                             Indicator variegatus
                                                                                  
Woodpeckers (Picidae)
Red-throated Wryneck                                    Jynx ruficollis
Golden-tailed Woodpecker                             Campethera abingoni
Ground Woodpecker                                      Geocolaptes olivaceus
Cardinal Woodpecker                                      Dendropicos fuscescens
Bearded Woodpecker                                      Dendropicos namaquus
Olive Woodpecker                                           Dendropicos griseocephalus
                                                                                  
FALCONIFORMES                                               
Caracaras, Falcons (Falconidae)
Lesser Kestrel                                                  Falco naumanni
Rock Kestrel                                                    Falco rupicolus
Amur Falcon                                                    Falco amurensis
Eurasian Hobby                                               Falco subbuteo
Lanner Falcon                                                  Falco biarmicus
                                                                                  
PSITTACIFORMES                                               
Parrots (Psittacidae)
Brown-headed Parrot                                      Poicephalus cryptoxanthus
Rose-ringed Parakeet                                       Psittacula krameri
                                                                                  
Cape Batis
PASSERIFORMES                                               
Wattle-eyes, Batises (Platysteiridae)
Cape Batis                                          Batis capensis
Woodward's Batis                                            Batis fratrum
Chinspot Batis                                                 Batis molitor
Black-throated Wattle-eye                                Platysteira peltata
                                                                                  
Helmetshrikes (Prionopidae)
White-crested Helmetshrike                              Prionops plumatus
                                                                                  
Bushshrikes (Malaconotidae)
Grey-headed Bushshrike                                   Malaconotus blanchoti
Olive Bushshrike                                               Chlorophoneus olivaceus
Orange-breasted Bushshrike                              Chlorophoneus sulfureopectus
Four-colored Bushshrike                                   Telophorus quadricolor
Bokmakierie                                                       Telophorus zeylonus
Southern Tchagra                                               Tchagra tchagra
Black-crowned Tchagra                                      Tchagra senegalus
Black-backed Puffback                                       Dryoscopus cubla
Southern Boubou                                                Laniarius ferrugineus
Brubru                                                                Nilaus afer
                                                                                  
Cuckooshrikes (Campephagidae)
Grey Cuckooshrike                                           Coracina caesia
Black Cuckooshrike                                          Campephaga flava
                                                                                  
Shrikes (Laniidae)
Magpie Shrike                                                  Urolestes melanoleucus
Southern White-crowned Shrike                      Eurocephalus anguitimens
Red-backed Shrike                                            Lanius collurio
Lesser Grey Shrike                                           Lanius minor
Southern Fiscal                                                  Lanius collaris
                                                                                  
Figbirds, Orioles (Oriolidae)
Eurasian Golden Oriole                                    Oriolus oriolus
Black-headed Oriole                                         Oriolus larvatus
                                                                                  
Drongos (Dicruridae)
Square-tailed Drongo                                        Dicrurus ludwigii
Fork-tailed Drongo                                           Dicrurus adsimilis
                                                                                  
Monarchs (Monarchidae)
Blue-mantled Crested Flycatcher                     Trochocercus cyanomelas
African Paradise Flycatcher                             Terpsiphone viridis
                                                                                  
Crows, Jays (Corvidae)
House Crow                                                     Corvus splendens
Cape Crow                                                       Corvus capensis
Pied Crow                                                        Corvus albus
White-necked Raven                                        Corvus albicollis
                                                                                  
Rockjumpers (Chaetopidae)
Cape Rockjumper                                 Chaetops frenatus
                                                                                  
Tits, Chickadees (Paridae)
Southern Black Tit                                          Melaniparus niger
Grey Tit                                                          Melaniparus afer
                                                                                  
Penduline Tits (Remizidae)
Cape Penduline Tit                                         Anthoscopus minutus
                                                                                  
Nicators (Nicatoridae)
Eastern Nicator                                               Nicator gularis

Rufous-naped Lark
Larks (Alaudidae)
Spike-heeled Lark                                           Chersomanes albofasciata
Eastern Long-billed Lark                                Certhilauda semitorquata
Cape Long-billed Lark                                    Certhilauda curvirostris
Chestnut-backed Sparrow-Lark                      Eremopterix leucotis
Sabota Lark                                                     Calendulauda sabota
Rudd's Lark                                                     Heteromirafra ruddi
Eastern Clapper Lark                                      Mirafra fasciolata
Rufous-naped Lark                                         Mirafra africana
Botha's Lark                                                    Spizocorys fringillaris
Large-billed Lark                                             Galerida magnirostris
Red-capped Lark                                            Calandrella cinerea
                                                                                  
Bulbuls (Pycnonotidae)
Cape Bulbul                                       Pycnonotus capensis
Dark-capped Bulbul                                       Pycnonotus tricolor
Sombre Greenbul                                            Andropadus importunus
Yellow-bellied Greenbul                                 Chlorocichla flaviventris
Terrestrial Brownbul                                       Phyllastrephus terrestris
                                                                                  
Swallows, Martins (Hirundinidae)
Black Saw-wing                                               Psalidoprocne pristoptera
Brown-throated Martin                                   Riparia paludicola
Banded Martin                                                 Riparia cincta
Sand Martin                                                      Riparia riparia
Barn Swallow                                                   Hirundo rustica
White-throated Swallow                                  Hirundo albigularis
Wire-tailed Swallow                                         Hirundo smithii
Rock Martin                                                     Ptyonoprogne fuligula
Greater Striped Swallow                                  Cecropis cucullata
Lesser Striped Swallow                                    Cecropis abyssinica
Red-breasted Swallow                                      Cecropis semirufa
South African Cliff Swallow                             Petrochelidon spilodera
                                                                                  
Crombecs, African Warblers (Macrosphenidae)
Cape Grassbird                                     Sphenoeacus afer
Long-billed Crombec                                         Sylvietta rufescens
Victorin's Warbler                                              Cryptillas victorini
                                                                                  
Leaf Warblers and allies (Phylloscopidae)
Willow Warbler                                                 Phylloscopus trochilus
                                                                                  
Reed Warblers and allies (Acrocephalidae)
Lesser Swamp Warbler                                     Acrocephalus gracilirostris
African Yellow Warbler                                     Iduna natalensis
Olive-tree Warbler                                              Hippolais olivetorum
Icterine Warbler                                                  Hippolais icterina
                                                                                  
Grassbirds and allies (Locustellidae)
Little Rush Warbler                                            Bradypterus baboecala

Levaillant's Cisticola
Cisticolas and allies (Cisticolidae)
Red-faced Cisticola                                             Cisticola erythrops
Lazy Cisticola                                                     Cisticola aberrans
Rattling Cisticola                                                 Cisticola chiniana
Grey-backed Cisticola                                         Cisticola subruficapilla
Rufous-winged Cisticola                                     Cisticola galactotes
Levaillant's Cisticola                                            Cisticola tinniens
Croaking Cisticola                                                Cisticola natalensis
Neddicky                                                             Cisticola fulvicapilla
Zitting Cisticola                                                   Cisticola juncidis
Pale-crowned Cisticola                                        Cisticola cinnamomeus
Wing-snapping Cisticola                                     Cisticola ayresii
Tawny-flanked Prinia                                         Prinia subflava
Karoo Prinia                                                        Prinia maculosa
Drakensberg Prinia                                              Prinia hypoxantha
Bar-throated Apalis                                            Apalis thoracica
Rudd's Apalis                                                     Apalis ruddi
Yellow-breasted Apalis                                      Apalis flavida
Green-backed Camaroptera                                Camaroptera brachyura
Stierling's Wren-Warbler                                     Calamonastes stierlingi
Burnt-necked Eremomela                                    Eremomela usticollis
                                                                                  
Laughingthrushes (Leiothrichidae)
Arrow-marked Babbler                                       Turdoides jardineii
                                                                                  
Sylviid Babblers (Sylviidae)
Chestnut-vented Warbler                                   Sylvia subcaerulea
                                                                                  
White-eyes (Zosteropidae)
Cape White-eye                                     Zosterops virens
                                                                                  
Sugarbirds (Promeropidae)
Cape Sugarbird                                      Promerops cafer
Gurney's Sugarbird                                            Promerops gurneyi
                                                                                  
Starlings, Rhabdornis (Sturnidae)
Common Myna                                                 Acridotheres tristis
Common Starling                                               Sturnus vulgaris
Wattled Starling                                                 Creatophora cinerea
Black-bellied Starling                                         Notopholia corrusca
Cape Starling                                        Lamprotornis nitens
Greater Blue-eared Starling                                Lamprotornis chalybaeus
Burchell's Starling                                              Lamprotornis australis
Pied Starling                                                       Lamprotornis bicolor
Violet-backed Starling                                        Cinnyricinclus leucogaster
Red-winged Starling                                           Onychognathus morio
                                                                                  
Oxpeckers (Buphagidae)
Red-billed Oxpecker                                         Buphagus erythrorhynchus
                                                                                  
Thrushes (Turdidae)
Spotted Ground Thrush                                   Geokichla guttata
Groundscraper Thrush                                     Turdus litsitsirupa
Kurrichane Thrush                                           Turdus libonyana
Olive Thrush                                                    Turdus olivaceus

White-browed Robin Chat
Chats, Old World Flycatchers (320) (Muscicapidae)
Karoo Scrub Robin                                           Cercotrichas coryphoeus
Bearded Scrub Robin                                        Cercotrichas quadrivirgata
White-browed Scrub Robin                              Cercotrichas leucophrys
Brown Scrub Robin                                          Cercotrichas signata
Grey Tit-Flycatcher                                         Myioparus plumbeus
Southern Black Flycatcher                               Melaenornis pammelaina
Fiscal Flycatcher                                              Melaenornis silens
Spotted Flycatcher                                          Muscicapa striata
Ashy Flycatcher                                              Muscicapa caerulescens
African Dusky Flycatcher                               Muscicapa adusta
Cape Robin-Chat                                             Cossypha caffra
White-throated Robin-Chat                             Cossypha humeralis
White-browed Robin-Chat                              Cossypha heuglini
Red-capped Robin-Chat                                  Cossypha natalensis
Chorister Robin-Chat                                       Cossypha dichroa
Cape Rock Thrush                                            Monticola rupestris
Sentinel Rock Thrush                                        Monticola explorator
African Stonechat                                              Saxicola torquatus
Buff-streaked Chat                                            Campicoloides bifasciatus
Sickle-winged Chat                                            Emarginata sinuata
Mocking Cliff Chat                                            Thamnolaea cinnamomeiventris
Ant-eating Chat                                                 Myrmecocichla formicivora
Mountain Wheatear                                          Myrmecocichla monticola
Capped Wheatear                                             Oenanthe pileata
Familiar Chat                                                    Oenanthe familiaris
                                                                                  
Sunbirds (Nectariniidae)
Collared Sunbird                                               Hedydipna collaris
Orange-breasted Sunbird                                  Anthobaphes violacea
Olive Sunbird                                                   Cyanomitra olivacea
Grey Sunbird                                                   Cyanomitra veroxii
Amethyst Sunbird                                           Chalcomitra amethystina
Scarlet-chested Sunbird                                   Chalcomitra senegalensis
Malachite Sunbird                                           Nectarinia famosa
Southern Double-collared Sunbird                  Cinnyris chalybeus
Greater Double-collared Sunbird                     Cinnyris afer
Marico Sunbird                                               Cinnyris mariquensis
Purple-banded Sunbird                                    Cinnyris bifasciatus
White-bellied Sunbird                                      Cinnyris talatala
                                                                                  
Old World Sparrows, Snowfinches (Passeridae)
House Sparrow                                                Passer domesticus
Cape Sparrow                                      Passer melanurus
Southern Grey-headed Sparrow                       Passer diffusus
Yellow-throated Petronia                                 Gymnoris superciliaris
                                                                                  
Weavers, Widowbirds (Ploceidae)
Red-billed Buffalo Weaver                               Bubalornis niger
Thick-billed Weaver                                         Amblyospiza albifrons
Spectacled Weaver                                           Ploceus ocularis
Cape Weaver                                       Ploceus capensis
Eastern Golden Weaver                                    Ploceus subaureus
Southern Brown-throated Weaver                   Ploceus xanthopterus
Lesser Masked Weaver                                     Ploceus intermedius
Southern Masked Weaver                                 Ploceus velatus
Village Weaver                                                   Ploceus cucullatus
Dark-backed Weaver                                         Ploceus bicolor
Red-headed Quelea                                            Quelea erythrops
Red-billed Quelea                                              Quelea quelea
Yellow-crowned Bishop                                    Euplectes afer
Southern Red Bishop                                         Euplectes orix
Yellow Bishop                                                    Euplectes capensis
Fan-tailed Widowbird                                         Euplectes axillaris
White-winged Widowbird                                   Euplectes albonotatus
Red-collared Widowbird                                     Euplectes ardens
Long-tailed Widowbird                                       Euplectes progne

Jameson's Firefinch
Waxbills, Munias and allies (Estrildidae)
Green-winged Pytilia                                           Pytilia melba
Pink-throated Twinspot                                      Hypargos margaritatus
Red-billed Firefinch                                             Lagonosticta senegala
African Firefinch                                                  Lagonosticta rubricata
Jameson's Firefinch                                             Lagonosticta rhodopareia
Blue Waxbill                                                        Uraeginthus angolensis
Swee Waxbill                                                       Coccopygia melanotis
Common Waxbill                                                Estrilda astrild
Quailfinch                                                           Ortygospiza atricollis
Bronze Mannikin                                                Lonchura cucullata
Red-backed Mannikin                                         Lonchura nigriceps
                                                                                  
Indigobirds, Whydahs (Viduidae)
Dusky Indigobird                                                Vidua funerea
Pin-tailed Whydah                                              Vidua macroura
Long-tailed Paradise Whydah                             Vidua paradisaea
Cuckoo-finch                                                      Anomalospiza imberbis
                                                                                  
Wagtails, Pipits (Motacillidae)
Western Yellow Wagtail                                     Motacilla flava
Cape Wagtail                                        Motacilla capensis
African Pied Wagtail                                          Motacilla aguimp
Cape Longclaw                                      Macronyx capensis
Yellow-throated Longclaw                                 Macronyx croceus
African Pipit                                                       Anthus cinnamomeus
Plain-backed Pipit                                               Anthus leucophrys
Yellow-breasted Pipit                                         Anthus chloris
                                                                                  
Finches (Fringillidae)
Common Chaffinch                                            Fringilla coelebs
Forest Canary                                                    Crithagra scotops
Black-throated Canary                                       Crithagra atrogularis
Lemon-breasted Canary                                    Crithagra citrinipectus
Yellow-fronted Canary                                      Crithagra mozambica
Cape Siskin                                          Crithagra totta
Yellow Canary                                                   Crithagra flaviventris
Brimstone Canary                                              Crithagra sulphurata
Streaky-headed Seedeater                                  Crithagra gularis
White-throated Canary                                      Crithagra albogularis
Cape Canary                                         Serinus canicollis
                                                                                  
Buntings, New World Sparrows and allies (Emberizidae)
Cinnamon-breasted Bunting                              Emberiza tahapisi
Cape Bunting                                       Emberiza capensis
Golden-breasted Bunting                                  Emberiza flaviventris

Cheetah
Mammal List (South Africa)
Worldwide Birding Tours - SA Comprehensive - Dec 2014
Roberts VII Name                                                          Scientific Name
                                                                                                       
Striped Field Mouse                                                      Rhabdomys pumilio
Tree Squirrel                                                                  Paraxerus cepapi
Scrub Hare                                                                     Lepus saxatilis
Jameson's Red Rock Rabbit                                          Pronolagus randensis
Rock Hyrax (Dassie)                                                     Procavia capensis
African Elephant                                                            Loxodonta africana
Burchell's (Plains) Zebra                                                Equus burhcelli
White Rhino                                                                    Ceratotherium simum
Black Rhino                                                                    Diceros bicornis
Hippoptamus                                                                 Hippoptamus amphibius
Bushpig                                                                           Potamochoerus porcus
Warthog                                                                           Phacochoerus aethiopicus
Giraffe                                                                             Giraffa camelopardalis
Blue Wildebeest                                                             Connochaetes taurinus
Red Hartebeest                                                              Alcelaphus buselaphus
Blesbok                                                                           Damalascus dorcas phillipsi
Blue Duiker                                                                     Philantomba monticola
Red Duiker                                                                      Cephalophus natalensis
Common (Grey) Duiker                                                 Sylvicapra grimmia
Steenbok                                                                         Raphicerus campestris
Impala                                                                             Aepyceros melampus
Grey Rhebok                                                                  Pelea capreolus
African Buffalo                                                               Syncerus caffer
Greater Kudu                                                                  Tragelaphus strepsiceros
Nyala                                                                               Tragelaphus angasii
Bushbuck                                                                        Tragelaphus scriptus
Eland                                                                               Taurotragus oryx
Reedbuck                                                                        Redunca arundinum
Waterbuck                                                                       Kobus ellipsiprymnus
Spotted Hyena                                                               Crocuta crocuta
Cheetah                                                                          Acinonyx jubatus
Leopard                                                                           Panthera pardus
Lion                                                                                  Panthera leo
Bat-eared Fox                                                                 Otocyon megalotis
African Wild Dog                                                           Lycaon pictus
Cape Fox                                                                        Vulpes chama
Black-backed Jackal                                                       Canis mesomelas
African Civet                                                                   Civettictis civetta
Suricate (Meerkat)                                                         Suricata suricata
Yellow Mongoose                                                          Cynictis penicillata
Slender Mongoose                                                         Galerella sanguinea
Small Grey Mongoose                                                  Galerella pulverulenta
Water Mongoose                                                           Atliax paludinosus
Banded Mongoose                                                        Mungos mungo
Dwarf Mongoose                                                           Helogale parvula
Thick-tailed Bushbaby                                                  Otolemur crassicaudatus
Lesser Bushbaby                                                          Galago moholi
Chacma Baboon                                                           Papio cyanocephalus ursinus
Vervet Monkey                                                               Cercopithecus aethiops
Cape Fur Seal                                                                Arctocephalus pusillus
Common Dolphin                                                         Delphinus delphis
Bottlenose Dolphin                                                       Tursiops truncatus

Banded Mongoose
And so ends this mammoth blog with this, part 5, of an extensive listing of birds and mammals seen during our time in South Africa. What an amazing and thoroughly enjoyable tour, so much accomplished in so short a time. Perhaps 3 weeks seems a long tour, but for such a country to be appreciated I certainly think another tour is required! And so I look forward to spending more time in this wonderful country and perhaps welcome you on our next visit planned for November 2015, to get an idea of the itinerary click on this link

African Locust
To see other destinations we visit, please see our main website. Thank you

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