article thumbnail

The Bee-eaters of Africa

10,000 Birds

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. After breeding they also disperse over the rainforests and savannas of West and Central Africa, where they hunt for aerial insects.

Africa 264
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. Gray-throated Barbet is one of the plainer members of the African Barbet family. This image is from Bwindi Impenetrable Gorilla National Park, Uganda.

Ethiopia 229
article thumbnail

Come@Me: Hunting Is Not Conservation

10,000 Birds

The definition of the word HUNT is “to chase or search for game or other wild animals for the purpose of catching or killing.” ” Obviously the dictionary does not equate hunting with conservation. If you have some insane idea that Hunting Is Conservation: I think we all remember the fate of the Passenger Pigeon ?

Hunting 110