Birds of South Africa, the North West Province

On a trip to South Africa in 2008, one of our stops included several days at a wonderful safari lodge in the North West. Needless to say, the abundant animal life had my camera (including a 300mm lens) at my side and I constantly snapped anything that moved…no matter how big…or how small.

Elephant at Madikwe National Park — Elephant at Madikwe Game Reserve

I live in Florida, where birds are a common part of the landscape. I discovered this province quite similar in flora and the number of unique birds. I’m not a bird expert (they are simply fun to watch), but took photos of many I saw and then attempted to properly identify them. While I have a book of Bushveld birds and a list of birds our guide rattled off during our trips in the bush, the task has left a few photos without proper identification. It didn’t help that I went through my notes at the end of the day with a Springbok (drink made with layers of kahlua, peppermint liquor, and Amarula cream) or a sweet Jerepico aperitif (loved it, but can’t find it in the US). If you recognize a bird, or find one I’ve mislabeled, please let me know.

The Lilac-breasted Roller. — The *Lilac-breasted Roller*. Small, but pretty. The colors are so perfect on this bird, it almost doesn’t look real.

Not wishing to have the pretty ones take center stage a Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill moved into the picture. — Not wishing to have the pretty ones take center stage a *Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill* moved into the picture.

The vulture. Big, ugly, and a necessary scavenger. I can’t tell from its position and this photo what type. African White-backed or maybe Hooded Vulture? — The *vulture*. Big, ugly, and a necessary scavenger. I can’t tell from its position and this photo what type. African White-backed or maybe Hooded Vulture?

The long wispy tail of this Shaft-tailed Whydah is rather unique. — The long wispy tail of this *Shaft-tailed Whydah* is rather unique.

A Pale Chanting Goshawk. Note the orange beak and legs. — A *Pale Chanting Goshawk*. Note the orange beak and legs.

Starlings are found around the world, but this one certainly had a beautiful blue. Burchell’s Starling. — Starlings are found around the world, but this one certainly had a beautiful blue. *Burchell’s Starling*.

Helmeted Guinefowl. Love the blue and red head. — *Helmeted Guinefowl*. Love the blue and red head.

Birds of a feather flock together. Helmeted Guinefowl. — Birds of a feather flock together. *Helmeted Guinefowl*.

Kori Bustard. Not the best photo, but it shows their rather “prehistoric” head and body shape. — *Kori Bustard*. Not the best photo, but it shows their rather “prehistoric” head and body shape.

Bee-eater. Tiny, beautiful, and hard to see as it blended in perfectly. — *Bee-eater*. Tiny, beautiful, and hard to see as it blended in perfectly.

These were some nests I encountered.

This one I believe belonged to a Weaver of some type. — This one I believe belonged to a *Weaver* of some type.

These two photos show a remarkable collection of giant nests from a bird I can’t identify. Someday I’ll have to contact the lodge where we stayed and ask, as they have it posted in their website gallery from a bunch of photos I left behind after our visit.

Nest2 — The head is not clearly seen in this photo (or another taken at the same time), but it appears almost completely black (unlike ospreys). Its body size is that of a large bird like an eagle.

A larger angle showing the entire tree and multiple nests. The bird’s head is also twisted forward while preening and again appears all black.

I think hubby found my photo taking a bit amusing and snapped this photo with his pocket-sized digital.

Birds of South Africa, the North West Province

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