10,000 Birds

AUGUST 22, 2022

So, it sometimes comes to South Africa to relax and enjoy relative anonymity. While hoopoes are in their own family, DNA studies suggest that the hoopoe diverged from hornbills, and the wood-hoopoes and scimitarbills from the hoopoe. Of course, the second explanation makes a lot more sense.

Zimbabwe 147

Zimbabwe Birds South Africa Benin 147

10,000 Birds

MAY 8, 2013

Despite filling very similar garbage disposal related niches, the vultures in North America and the vultures in Eurasia/Africa are really not that closely related. Old World Vultures are nestled within the family Acciptridae along with the hawks and eagles. Cape Vultures in South Africa – Alex Lamoreaux, The Nemesis Bird.

California Condor 181

California Condor Turkey North America Jordan 181

10,000 Birds

APRIL 9, 2013

Africa’s impressive Long-tailed Widowbird by Adam Riley. These large seedeaters (belonging to the weaver family) are so named for the generally black plumage of the adult male, resembling a widow in mourning. A male Long-tailed Widowbird in heavy flapping display flight low over the grassland in South Africa by Adam Riley.

Papua New Guinea 238

Papua New Guinea South Africa Africa Zimbabwe 238

10,000 Birds

APRIL 15, 2015

I was in contact with a group of birders for whom I arranged and guided an annual tour to Africa. We already had South Africa, Zambia and Uganda under our belts, but my clients’ request for the next year came right out of the blue: Ghana! During each trip we would discuss a destination for the following year.

Ghana 192

Ghana Hunters Guinea Gambia 192