For the Birds

If you’ve noticed the new bird list in the right column next to the posts, you may have been wondering what all the strangely named birds look like. Well, it is your lucky day. Here are a few pictures to satisfy your inquisitive mind. (Keep in mind that birds, especially the little ones, are difficult to photograph so some of these pictures are rather grainy.)

This prehistoric-looking thing the Silver-cheeked Hornbill. These large creatures make the most noise I’ve ever heard out of a bird. Their wings make loud whooshing noises when they fly and they have a distinct call.

Here is the lovely Augur Buzzard. This one likes to hang out on the football goal.

Meet the beautiful Amethyst Sunbird. When the sun catches his feathers just right, his chin shines iridescent red and the top of his head brilliant green.

The one and only Common Bulbul, tricolor variety.

This would be the Black-and-white Mannikin. Doesn’t look much like a manikin to me either.

And the ever prominent White-eyed Slaty Flycatcher

This is the feather of a pied crow. The Pied crow looks like a North American crow wearing a white vest.

This terrible picture is of the Speckled Mousebird. It’s hard to see here, but the Mousebird has a funny crest of feathers on its head and a super long tail.

And this cute little fellow (the Common Fiscal). . .

. . . is a killer. (Poor lizard)

This is the female Baglafecht Weaver caught in the act of making a nest.

I’ve saved the best for last. This is definitely my favorite bird of all the ones I’ve seen so far. It is the Variable Sunbird and is almost as noisy as the Hornbill, but much prettier.

This duller one is the female.

Those are all the bird pictures for now. Bye!