10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 23, 2016

There are few families of birds where despite a cosmopolitan distribution I’m always so pleased to see any species of the family. The species is a common one, found from the Gambia to Somalia and from the Sudan to South Africa. Who doesn’t love a good owl? owls aren’t rare, but they are seldom easy.

Owls 223

Owls Somalia Gambia Sudan 223

10,000 Birds

MAY 12, 2013

Its mostly found on the ground in thickets or the edges of dense vegetation and usually in small family parties. This attractive (for a lark anyway) species is restricted to the dry savannah Somali-Maasai biome of north-east Africa (northern Tanzania, Kenya, southern Ethiopia and Somalia). Pink-breasted Lark.

Africa 239

Africa Somalia Mozambique Pelicans 239

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 14, 2012

The wonderful family Meropidae contains 27 dazzling species, of which Africa is endowed with no less than 20 species, the balance occurring across Asia and with one as far afield as Australia. They are usually found in small family groups perched atop bushes or short trees, from whence they sally out to catch their prey.

Africa 266

Africa Gabon Uganda South Africa 266

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 9, 2012

This group of 4 species (as well as all the remaining “weavers” that are covered below) are not even placed in the weaver family ( Ploceidae ) but in Passeridae – the Old World Sparrow family. Image taken in Samburu, Kenya by Adam Riley. They occur in dry savanna as well as broadleafed woodlands. Image taken in Kenya by Adam Riley.

Tanzania 250

Tanzania Buffalo Kenya Namibia 250

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 6, 2011

Families that are endemic to the continent include such strange birds as Shoebill , Secretarybird , Hamerkop , mousebirds and rockfowl ( picathartes ) and delightful groups including bushshrikes, sugarbirds, rockjumpers, woodhoopoes, turacos and hyliotas.

Papua New Guinea 247

Papua New Guinea Equatorial Guinea Madagascar Tanzania 247