#birdsofafrica

[melodeelaine]

African Emerald Cuckoo - Sub-Saharan Africa

[visitafrica-today]

Africa’s Most Bizarrely Named Birds: A Quirky Guide to Feathered Wonders!

Africa’s birdlife is legendary, but some species stand out—if not for their looks, then for their bizarre names! Ready for an avian adventure? Let’s uncover these quirky characters. 🧵

First up, The Drunken Parrot! - In southern Africa, parrots are infamous for feasting on marula fruit that ferments on the ground. The result? Birds stumbling and squawking like they’ve had one too many! Nature’s comedy at its finest.

The Satanic Nightjar—Its name is as dramatic as its nocturnal habits. This elusive, cryptically feathered bird got its eerie name from its ghostly presence in the night and mysterious calls. Don’t worry—it’s harmless!

The Bare-faced Go-away Bird! - This bird’s name seems like an instruction to leave! The “bare-faced” part is from its featherless patch around the eyes and its unique call that sounds like “go away,” often heard in East Africa’s savannahs mainly in South Africa, Tanzania, Kenya, Namibia, Malawi, Angola, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Botswana.

Africa’s Shoebill Stork looks straight out of Jurassic Park. Its name comes from its enormous, shoe-shaped bill. Found in East African swamps, especially in Uganda's Mabamba Swamp. This bird is a must-see for birders!

The Secretary Bird—nothing to do with offices! Its name comes from its quill-like crest that resembles pens tucked behind a secretary’s ear. Plus, it’s a snake-hunting specialist!

Meet the Helmeted Guineafowl—its bony, helmet-like crest makes it look like a soldier of the savannah. This bird is as tough as its name suggests.

Hammerkop—literally translates to “hammerhead” in Afrikaans. Its unique head shape resembles a hammer. These birds build enormous nests—so big they can support a human’s weight!

Consider the Spotted Thick-knee! This nocturnal bird got its name from its large, thick knees (which are actually the bird’s ankle joints!). It’s a ground-dwelling marvel of the savannah.

The Speckled Mousebird—Imagine a bird that looks like a mouse! These small, fluffy birds often climb branches in a rodent-like way, making their name oddly appropriate.

Meet the Red-billed Firefinch! A fiery burst of red in the wild, this bird’s vivid plumage lives up to its blazing name. It’s small, charming, and unmistakably eye-catching.

Imagine a bird skimming across the Nile, its lower beak scooping fish from the water. The African Skimmer is a master of its craft.

Lastly, The African Pygmy Goose! Don’t let the name fool you—it’s a duck, not a goose! This pint-sized beauty loves floating among lily pads.

Nature’s quirks never end! Did we miss a bizarrely named African bird that you love? Let us know in the comments below!

[funnywildlife]

Green Beauty - Knysna Turaco in South Africa by #birdographer @lislegwynn #Birdography #birdphotos #southafrica #travelgram #birdphotography #green #turaco #breakfast #knysna #wanderlust #birdlovers #birds_captures #birdstagram #birdseyeview #birds_adored #birdsofafrica #africanwildlife https://www.instagram.com/p/COZHUnDgFAV/?igshid=18dt7tkmr9exq

[wotdinstagram]

The beautiful Hoopoe can look as though it is wearing a coronet. 🐦 👑 . . . . #hoopoe #zimbabwe #birdsofafrica #wordoftheday #dictionary https://www.instagram.com/p/CZx8Rr-LTY6/?utm_medium=tumblr

[worldwidexplorer]

Queen Elizabeth Park, Uganda

When deciding what to write about today, I was going through my photographs. Often, I take writing inspiration from photos and I’ve had more time to reflect on photographs lately, as I’m sure you have also. While we wait to plan further travel, it’s fun to look back at the places we’ve been, and to keep hope going for tomorrow. Here are just a few that bring back great memories and lots of smiles. 

All of these photographs are from lovely Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda.

Male Ugandan Kob, a type of antelope found mainly in Uganda! Only the males have antlers. They make a funny sound when courting females.

Lioness yawning lazily in the late afternoon.

Male lion; there were at least 9 lions in his pack! One of the bigger packs I’ve seen.

Same male lion yawning, though it looks more like a snarl!

Another lioness resting peacefully late in the day.

Our safari travelers, getting the best possible view!

White-browed Coucal Bird, a type of cuckoo.

Papyrus Gonolek - a very colorful bird!

[corvidaeus]

A village weaver (Ploceus cucullatus) in flight at Mokolodi Game Reserve, Botswana Decided to set up a new account specifically for my photography. I have a huge backlog of photos, most of which I've never posted anywhere. This particular one is from a trip to S. Africa and Botswana in December 2018. More from that trip and others to come! 📷 Shot on Canon EOS 70D, 300mm, 1/1600, f5.6 #birdphotography #birdsofinstagram #birdsofig #birdsofafrica #birdwatching #birdwatchers #birds #wildlife #wildlifephotography #nature #naturephotography #travelphotography #earthpix #africa #travelafrica (at Mokolodi Nature Reserve) https://www.instagram.com/p/CCuREFhlvXj/?igshid=1izbn4htmnavb

[blogtwotracks]

This beautiful Red-capped Robin-Chat, was hopping all along our trail in the Umhlanga Nature Reserve, I tried chasing it into the light but it was having none of and also not sitting still..#beautiful #birds #bird #bird_extreme #birdsofinstagram #birdsofsouthafrica #umhlanga #bestbirds #bestbirdshot #nikon #nikonbirds #nikonbirdphotography #birding #birdingphotography #birdingdaily #birdsofafrica #birds_nature #birds🐦 #birdstagram #nature #naturephotography #natgeo #natgeoyourshot #natgeowild #natgeobirds https://www.instagram.com/p/B1wls7alE2q/?igshid=141av11i3egu4

[naturalworldacademy-blog]

Surf's up at Simon's Town near Cape Town, South Africa! A trio of African penguins (also known as "jackass penguins" due to their loud, braying call!) come to shore to catch a break from fishing and swimming, largely indifferent to the locals and tourists that are there for the show. Although penguins are often thought of as largely polar birds, close relatives of the African penguin can be found in the Galápagos, right on the Equator! African penguins compete with fisheries for ever-dwindling fish stocks, and their population is in decline. #penguin #africanpenguin #spheniscus #southafrica #capetown #simonstown #simonstad #semesteratsea #sas #galapagospenguin #jackasspenguin #biology #ecology #conservation #conservationbiology #bird #birdsofinstagram #birdsofafrica #birdsofsouthafrica #competition #fish #fisheries #naturalworldacademy #naturalsciences #studyabroad (at Cape Town Simon's Town)