article thumbnail

“Peacocks and Picathartes: Reflections on Africa’s Birdlife”

10,000 Birds

A lot of destinations were mentioned, with Central and South America leading the way, New Guinea, Indonesia and Australia appearing only at the middle of the list, and African countries (South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania and Madagascar) lagging at the end of the list.

Congo 264
article thumbnail

What is a Palm-thrush?

10,000 Birds

It all comes back to a split in one of the great bird families, the Turdidae, or thrushes. Once upon a time, when I started birding, this great family included a wide range of species collectively known as the robins and chats. The family reunited in safety. Collared Palm-thrush with no collar visible.

Insiders

Sign Up for our Newsletter

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Trending Sources

article thumbnail

Our Favorite Bird Books (and one pair of Binoculars) of 2022

10,000 Birds

Lees and Gilroy delineate vagrancy status and trends for every bird family worldwide, highlighting examples, synthesizing research, and framing it all with their own thoughts and conclusions. It’s a unique title; twitchers and naturalists interested in migration will find it fascinating reading and valuable for future reference.

Sri Lanka 218
article thumbnail

Africa’s Barbets

10,000 Birds

Originally they were all placed in the family Capitonidae , but over time taxonomists have determined that actual relationships between these barbets are far more complex. Benson to collect birds. Gray-throated Barbet is one of the plainer members of the African Barbet family.

Ethiopia 225
article thumbnail

The Storks of Africa

10,000 Birds

Furthermore we have another very special stork-like bird, the regal Shoebill , previously known as the Whale-headed Stork but now placed in its own family. This colossal bird is now placed in its own family Balaenicipitidae and it forms an ancient link between storks and pelicans. Its range also extends to nearby Madagascar.

Africa 235
article thumbnail

Weavers

10,000 Birds

Anaplectes – Red-headed Weaver A male Red-headed Weaver collecting shoots for building his nest. Image taken by Adam Riley in Tanzania. Image taken by Adam Riley in Tanzania. Image taken in Tanzania by Adam Riley. This male is busy weaving grass blades into a nest. Photo taken by Adam Riley in Ghana.

Tanzania 215
article thumbnail

Pink in Africa

10,000 Birds

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). Photo by Adam Riley. Pink-breasted Lark.

Africa 204