In the foothills of the Nyika National Park in western Malawi, a singing Singing Cisticola (Cisticola cantans) of the subspecies muenzneri could be heard. A little later, the Singing Cisticola is hidden on an acacia branch. When the song of the Singing Cisticola is played from the tape, it does not keep the bird in… Continue reading Singing Cisticola at Nyika National Park
Category: Bird Identification Aid
Collared Plover on a sandbar in the Pantanal
A tiny white-gray-brown bird runs swiftly ahead of me on the sands of the Rio São Lourenço, which is called Rio Cuiabá as well. It is a Collared Plover (Charadrius collaris). I lie down on the sand and let the bird come. It walks here, sometimes there. But over time the wader gets closer and… Continue reading Collared Plover on a sandbar in the Pantanal
Little Bee-eaters and a bridal gift
Watching and photographing the colorful Bee-eater is always a great experience. The (European) Bee-eater (Merops apiaster), which also occurs in Germany, is only one representative of a whole family, which has its stronghold in the tropics, especially in Africa. A common representative in Kenya is the Little Bee-eater (Merops pusillus), which occurs in a large… Continue reading Little Bee-eaters and a bridal gift
Young Warbler as an ID-challenge in southern Brandenburg in Germany
In the beginning of August I shot the image of a drab warbler near a pond in southern Brandenburg. I did not realize the bird at that moment, as the whole willow bush in a otherwise highly agricultural land was quite busy with migrating birds, e.g. Sedge Warbler (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus) well. I think, I remember… Continue reading Young Warbler as an ID-challenge in southern Brandenburg in Germany
Red-footed Falcons in Berlin and Brandenburg
In case of observations of Red-footed Falcon (Falco vespertinus) it is important to rule out other small falcons. The type of hovering of the Red-footed Falcon is often called useful for species identification. In a case of observation in the Lower Flaeming, 50km south of Berlin, this was very helpful. The gentle hilly landscape of… Continue reading Red-footed Falcons in Berlin and Brandenburg
Eurasian Reed-Warbler in a jungle of reed
Reed seems a monotonous habitat. In early spring, the reeds of the previous years are uniform and stand close to each other; pale gray, sometimes brown. Peeling stalk layers of the reed already provide for the maximum of visual variety. Otherwise: a sea of vertical stems. But like the right sea, the reed “sea” is… Continue reading Eurasian Reed-Warbler in a jungle of reed
Yellow flycatcher (Erythrocercus holochlorus) im Arabuko-Sokoke Forest, at Kenya´s east coast
After paying the fee to enter the Arabuke Sokoke Forest at Gedi Forest Station Visitors’ Bureau, we want to look at a small piece of woodland just beyond the ranger post. It is now 6:15 a.m.. So pretty early. It would not be worth it much sooner. There are thick clouds in the sky. We… Continue reading Yellow flycatcher (Erythrocercus holochlorus) im Arabuko-Sokoke Forest, at Kenya´s east coast
Photographing Wrynecks
An Eurasian Wryneck (Jynx torquilla) sitting open on a stone singing in the morning light is a really rare sighting. The obtrusive väh-wäh-wäh – calls can be heard from afar. The emitting bird remains hidden. In the second half of April, the powerful courtship calls of a bird, which is rarely seen, are often heard.… Continue reading Photographing Wrynecks
A gourmet among woodpeckers: a Wryneck in Estonia
Hi-pitched callings are coming out of nowhere. Even the direction is not clear. In the poor light of the dawn I see a bird in flight. First I think of a Barred Warbler (Sylvia nisoria) or maybe a small female shrike like a Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio). Suddenly a Eurasian Wryneck (Jynx torquilla) hops around… Continue reading A gourmet among woodpeckers: a Wryneck in Estonia
Blyth’s Reed-Warbler at Matsalu Bay/ Estonia
I am standing at the entrance to a beach area in North-western Estonia, which I had already used to photograph migrating waterfowl 2 days ago. At that time already, I had the impression that a Reed-Warbler is singing in the background. But at that time, I had it “checked off” as a “normal” Reed warbler… Continue reading Blyth’s Reed-Warbler at Matsalu Bay/ Estonia
Eurasian Hobby in the Belziger Landschaftswiesen
A misty and chilly morning. After weeks without rain, the drizzling rain kept going already for a while. A wet falcon was sitting crooked on a pole in some distance. Obviously not very comfortable in the rain. The view through the scope revealed a Eurasian Hobby (Falcon. subbuteo), also known as the Northern Hobby rested… Continue reading Eurasian Hobby in the Belziger Landschaftswiesen
Orange-tufted Sunbird in the Cameroon Mountains
The hilly area with the lush greenery, the fern bushes and the tree strips gives an impression of Scotland. In addition, it is – at least for African conditions – really pleasant tempered, not to say cool. This should be a top spot for nectar birds? My doubt is answered within minutes. The sunbirds to… Continue reading Orange-tufted Sunbird in the Cameroon Mountains