10,000 Birds

APRIL 15, 2015

My connection with Ghana began rather unexpectedly (and as it turned out, rather humorously) more than ten years ago. 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! What makes Ghana so special?

Ghana 187

Ghana Hunters Guinea Gambia 187

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 211

Papua New Guinea Madagascar Africa Equatorial Guinea 211

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 9, 2012

Image taken by Adam Riley in Ghana. Photo taken by Adam Riley in Ghana. Photo taken by Adam Riley in Ghana. 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.

Tanzania 212

Tanzania Buffalo Kenya Namibia 212

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 261

Africa Gabon South Africa Uganda 261

10,000 Birds

APRIL 10, 2012

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. Gray-throated Barbet is one of the plainer members of the African Barbet family. This image was taken in Nsuta Forest, Ghana.

Ethiopia 222

Ethiopia Tanzania Africa Uganda 222