Birds – emafini

Birds at Emafini

AFRICAN PIED WAGTAIL

A striking black and white wagtail with black upperparts contrasting with white underparts, a white supercilium and a white patch in the folded wing. Juvenile birds are greyer, while birds of the nominate subspecies show grey flanks. They are 20 cm (7.9 in) long This bird has been see flying around the front of the lodge and in the areas where the logs and wood shed are

BARTHROAT APALIS

The bar-throated apalis (Apalis thoracica) is a small African passerine bird belonging to the genus Apalis of the family Cisticolidae. It is native to the eastern and southern Afrotropics.

Black flycatcher

The southern black flycatcher is entirely black, with a black beak and black legs. The iris of the eye is brown and this, along with the square-cut tail, helps distinguish it from the otherwise similar fork-tailed drongo (Dicrurus adsimilis) which has a red iris and long forked tail.

BLACK EYED BULBUL

The Black-eyed Bulbul is a very common and widespread bird that has adapted to many habitats and even to the urban environment around Africa.

Bleating Bush Warbler

The green-backed camaroptera ( Camaroptera brachyura ), or bleating bush warbler, is a small bird closely related to cisticolas. It is a widespread and common breeder along the southeast coast of Africa. It is only 11.5 cm (4.5 in) long with a green back, olive wings and light grey underparts.

BROWNHOODED KINGFISHER

The brown-hooded kingfisher is about 22 cm (8.7 in) long.[7] The head is brown, with blackish streaks. There is a broad buffy collar above the brownish-black mantle. The wing coverts are mostly brownish-black, and the secondary flight feathers are turquoise. The rump is azure-blue. The chin is white, the breast is tawny with some dark streaks, and the belly is buffy. The beak is red, tipped brown, the legs are carmine, and the eyes are dark brown. The female has dark brown upperparts, and its underparts are more streaked than the male. The juvenile bird is duller, with scalloped whitish underparts. The subspecies differ in shade and streaking This bird is generally seen on the electric lines next to the lodge. However he is flying around

AFRICAN PYGMY KINGFISHER AFRICAN PYGMY KINGFISHER

The African pygmy kingfisher is 12 cm (4.7 in) in length. The sexes are alike. It is a very small kingfisher with rufous underparts and a blue back extending down to the tail. The dark blue crown of the adult separates it from the African dwarf kingfisher. The smaller size and violet wash on the ear coverts distinguish it from the similar malachite kingfisher This bird is generally seen on the electric lines next to the lodge. However he is flying around

CAPE BATIS

The Cape batis is strikingly patterned. The adult male has a grey crown, black eye mask and white throat. Its back is brown, with a black rump and tail and rufous wings. The underparts are white with a broad black breast band and rufous flanks. The female and juvenile plumages differ in that the breast band is narrower and rufous, not black, and there is a small rufous patch on the throat. Their rufous wings and flanks distinguish them from other Batis species in the region.

CAPE WHITE-EYE

This species is about 12 cm long with rounded wings, strong legs, and a conspicuous ring of white feathers round the eyes. The upperparts are green, and the throat and vent are bright yellow. The members of the Z. v. capensis has a grey breast and belly, whereas Z. v. virens has a greenish-yellow breast and belly. This bird is generally seen on the electric lines next to the lodge. However he is flying around

CAPE ROBIN

The sexes are similar. The Cape robin-chat measures 16–17 cm from bill tip to tail tip[4] and weighs 28 g.[9] The adult's upper parts are grey, with the mantle and secondary feathers tinged brownish olive. The blackish lores and ear coverts are separated from the crown by a prominent white supercilium.[9] The chin, throat, central breast, rump, upper tail coverts and outer tail feathers are orange. The breast plumage moults to a deeper orange in colour for the non-breeding season.[3] The central tail feathers are greyish-brown, and obscures the bright rufous outer tail feathers when the tail is closed. The belly is pale grey to white, and the undertail coverts buffy.[9] The short, black bill is fairly straight, but with a slightly down-curved upper mandible. The legs and feet are black, and the eye is brown. This bird is generally seen on the electric lines next to the lodge. However he is flying around

PIED CROW

It is approximately the size of the European carrion crow or a little larger (46–50 cm in length) but has a proportionately larger bill, slightly longer tail and wings, and longer legs. As its name suggests, its glossy black head and neck are interrupted by a large area of white feathering from the shoulders down to the lower breast. The tail, bill and wings are black too. The eyes are dark brown. The white plumage of immature birds is often mixed with black. It resembles the white-necked and thick-billed ravens but has a much smaller bill They are found flying around the property

CHORISTER ROBIN

The chorister robin-chat (Cossypha dichroa) (previously known as the chorister robin) is a species of bird in the family Muscicapidae. It is found in South Africa and Eswatini. Its distribution stretches from the southern Western Cape through the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Swaziland and Mpumalanga to northern Limpopo. Its natural habitat is evergreen forests, especially in the mist belt region. This is a large robin-chat, about 20 cm in length. The chorister robin-chat is identified by its dark upperparts (the ear coverts and lores are slightly darker than the rest of the face, head, neck and back) and yellow-orange underparts. It has no white eye stripe. Juveniles have a sooty, mottled tawny-buff above and below and its tail is red-orange with a dark centre. This bird is generally seen on the electric lines next to the lodge. However he is flying around

CUCKOO REDCHESTED

The red-chested cuckoo (Cuculus solitarius) is a species of cuckoo in the family Cuculidae. It is a medium-sized bird found in Africa south of the Sahara. In Afrikaans, it is known as "Piet-my-vrou", after its call. The red-chested cuckoo is a medium-size cuckoo about 31 cm (12.2 in) in length. The male has slate-grey upper parts, pale grey throat and sides of head and dark grey tail tipped with white. The breast is rufous or cinnamon, often with barring, and the belly is creamy-white or pale buff. The female is similar but the colour of the breast is duller and with variable amounts of barring. This bird is generally seen on the electric lines next to the lodge. However he is flying around

Yellow Billed Cuckoo

Adults have a long tail, brown above and black-and-white below, and a black curved bill with yellow especially on the lower mandible. The head and upper parts are brown and the underparts are white. There is a yellow ring around the eye. It shows cinnamon on the wings in flight. Juveniles are similar, but the black on the undertail is replaced by gray. They are found flying around the property

Cape Turtle Dove

The ring-necked dove (Streptopelia capicola), also known as the Cape turtle dove or half-collared dove, is a widespread and often abundant dove species in East and southern Africa. It is a mostly sedentary bird, found in a variety of open habitats. Can be found around the top pool in the trees

DUSHY FLYCATCHER

Adults have olive-gray upperparts, darker on the wings and tail, with whitish underparts; they have a noticeable medium-width white eye ring, white wing bars and a medium length tail. The breast is washed with olive-gray. The bill is mainly dark. It is a bit smaller than the American grey flycatcher and a bit larger than the Hammond's flycatcher. This bird can be seen around the waterberry trees next to the pool The red-chested cuckoo is a medium-size cuckoo about 31 cm (12.2 in) in length. The male has slate-grey upper parts, pale grey throat and sides of head and dark grey tail tipped with white. The breast is rufous or cinnamon, often with barring, and the belly is creamy-white or pale buff. The female is similar but the colour of the breast is duller and with variable amounts of barring. This bird is generally seen on the electric lines next to the lodge. However he is flying around

EMERALD SPOTTED DOVE

The emerald-spotted wood dove (Turtur chalcospilos) is a bird of the family Columbidae, resident across eastern and southern Africa. It is a species of open drier deciduous woodland and second growth. It is absent from evergreen rainforests and semidesert areas

FORKED TAILED DRONGO

The fork-tailed drongo is 25 cm long and has short legs. They are medium sized and usually weigh about 50 grams. Males are mainly glossy black, although their wings are duller. Females are similar but less glossy. It is large-headed with well-developed rictal and nasal bristles, which are used as sensory organs.[5] The rectrices curve outwards, forming the forked tail for which the species is named. The hooked bill is black and heavy, and the eye is red.

GOLDENBREASTED BUNTING

The golden-breasted bunting is 15–16 cm long. The adult male has striking head pattern with a white crown, black lateral crown stripes, white supercilium and black-bordered white ear coverts. The underparts are orange-yellow becoming yellow on the throat and whitish on the lower belly. The upperparts are chestnut with a grey rump. The browner wings have two conspicuous white wing bars. The sexes are very similar, but females may have a buff tone to the white head markings and browner head stripes, and the back may have dark streaks. Young birds are duller and paler than the females.

GREEN TWINSPOT

Small, chunky, dark green waxbill with bright white “twin spots” across the black belly. The male has a red face, and the female a yellowish one. Found in and around forest, where it prefers dense tangles and openings with seeding grass. Distinctive call is a short, high trill, often given in flight. The rarely heard song is a complex mix of many different call types. Superficially similar to Green-winged Pytilia, but smaller, prefers forest rather than savanna habitat, and does not have a red tai

GREEN PIGEON

Treron is a genus of bird in the pigeon family Columbidae. Its members are commonly called green pigeons. The genus is distributed across Asia and Africa. This genus contains 30 species, remarkable for their green coloration, hence the common name, which comes from a carotenoid pigment in their diet. Green pigeons have diets of various fruits, nuts, and/or seeds. They dwell in trees and occupy a variety of wooded habitats. Members of this genus can be further grouped into species with long tails, medium-length tails, and wedge-shaped tails. Most species of green pigeon display sexual dimorphism, where males and females can be readily distinguished by different colored plumage.

GROUNDSCRAPER THRUSH

The groundscraper thrush (Turdus litsitsirupa)[3] is a passerine bird of southern and eastern Africa belonging to the thrush family, Turdidae. It is 22–24 centimetres (8.7–9.4 in) long with an erect posture, short tail, heavy bill and fairly long legs. The upperparts are plain grey-brown with a chestnut wing-panel. The underparts are white with black spots and the face is white with bold black markings. The underwing has a black and white pattern which is visible during the undulating flight. The bird has a slow whistled song and a clicking call.

KURRICANE THRUSH

The Kurrichane thrush is 21 to 23 cm (8.3–9.1 in) long and weighs around 46–82 g (1.6–2.9 oz). The head, upperparts and breast are grey, and the belly is whitish with orange flanks. The throat is white with black streaks on the side. The bill is orange, tending to a paler yellow at the base. The legs tend to vary in colour. Both sexes are alike

IBIS HADEDA

The hadada is a large (about 76 cm (30 in) long), grey-to-partly brown species of ibis. Males and females are alike in plumage. It has a narrow, white, roughly horizontal stripe across its cheeks. This is sometimes called the "moustache" though it does not reach the mouth corners. The plumage over the wings has an iridescent purple sheen produced by optical microstructures within the feathers.[8] The bird has blackish legs and a large grey-to-black bill but during the breeding season it has a red culmen on the basal half of the upper mandible. The upper surfaces of the toes are of a similar red during the onset of breeding.[6] The wings are powerful and broad, enabling quick take-offs and easy manoeuvring through dense tree cover. It has an extremely loud and distinctive "haa-haa-haa-de-dah" call—hence the onomatopoetic name. The call is often heard when the birds are flying or are startled, or when the birds communicate socially, for example early in the morning in residential suburbs. While roosting they produce a single loud "haaaa". When foraging, their contact call is a low growl similar to that made by a young puppy. This bird is on all the lawns digging for worms. Generally at sundown they are around the lodge swimming pool if its peaceful

NARINA TROGON

Both sexes have vivid, gingery green upperpart plumage. The tail feathers have a metallic blue-green gloss. The outer three rectices on each side are tipped and fringed white, giving the undertail of perched birds a characteristic white appearance (compare bar-tailed trogon). The wing coverts are a grizzled grey, and remiges mostly colourless grey

OLIVE WOODPECKER

Unusual woodpecker that lacks barring, spotting, and streaking. Males have a red cap, and both sexes show a red rump that is conspicuous in flight. Varies geographically; some populations show a red patch at the center of the belly and others a completely olive belly. Found in forest and dense woodland. Restricted to middle and high elevations across much of the range, though found down to sea level in South Africa. Call is a series of loud whinnies.

OLIVE THRUSH

A typical thrush with olive-brown upperparts and rufous underparts. Its taxonomic status remains under review, and it is most easily identified by range. In the north it is primarily a species of montane forest and forest edge, but farther south it occurs in gardens, woodland, plantations, and heath. It has a varied song, and often reveals its presence with typical thrush “chk-chk” or thin “tseeep” calls. An understory specialist that sometimes skulks, but at other times can be quite bold. This bird seems to be next to the paths and roads around Emafini. Down near the conference rooms is a good place to look for him.

ORIOLE BLACKHEADED

A spectacular mostly golden-yellow bird with a black head and a pink-orange bill. Singles or pairs may join mixed-species flocks in coastal and riverine forest, forest edge, and moist broadleaf woodland. They tend to remain in the canopy foraging for insects, fruit, and nectar. The species often draws attention to itself with a musical, liquid “wholeuooo” call.

BARN OWL

Western Barn Owls are medium-sized, measuring 30–33 cm in length, with long wings and a short, squarish tail. Females (weighing around 365 g) are slightly smaller than males, which weigh up to 410 g, but both sexes are similar in plumage colouration. The upper body is golden brown, vermiculated (marked with sinuous or wavy lines) with grey, and spotted black and white. The white, heart-shaped facial disk is contrasted by small, brown to black eyes and a beak that varies from a pale pink to a brownish horn. Underparts are white, with fine brown spots, which make the bird look ghost-like in flight. Legs are greyish-brown and are densely covered with feathers (Hockey et al. 2005).

PARADISE FLYCATCHER

The African paradise flycatcher (Terpsiphone viridis) is a medium-sized passerine bird. The two central tail feathers of the male are extended into streamers that commonly are more than twice as long as the body. The female tail feathers are of moderate length and without streamers. The upper parts of the male body, wings, and tail are boldly coloured in chestnut or rusty shades, but the underparts and the head are variably grey to blue-gray, with the head of the mature male being darker, commonly glossy black with greenish highlights. The beak and other bare areas, including a wattle ring round the eye, match the colour of the surrounding feathers. The female coloration is similar, though not so showy and glossy and with the head paler.

BLACK BACKED PUFF BACK

A small, canopy-loving black-and-white shrike with a fiery red eye. When excited, males can raise fluffy white feathers on the rump to resemble a puffball. The sexes differ, with males clean-cut and females duller and more cream-and-gray in coloration. Singles and pairs frequently join mixed-species flocks foraging agilely for insects, working the canopy of dense broadleaf woodland and riverine, lowland, and montane forest. Black-backed Puffbacks are often detected by their characteristic song: a loud click followed by a whistled wheeeoo,” the combination given repeatedly.

REDWINGED STARLING

A large glossy-black starling with a graduated, pointed tail and brick-red windows in the wings that are striking in flight. The male and female have black and gray heads respectively. Pairs and flocks prefer rocky outcrops and gorges, but have adapted to buildings in urban areas; they avoid forests. The species gives a characteristic loud liquid oriole-like “wher-teooo” contact call and other musical whistles and warbles. This bird is all over Emafini and during spring tries to build nests on different buildings

RAMRON PIGEON

Big, dark pigeon with a gray head, and bright yellow feet, bill, and eye ring. Plain in flight. Found in forest, plantations, and woodland. In most of its range, it is a montane species that is restricted to high and middle elevations. Often in small flocks, especially near fruiting trees. Common vocalization is a raspy “brrruuur” call, usually followed by several series of quick hoots.

SCARLETCHESTED SUNBIRD

A large dark sunbird with a long decurved bill. The male is spectacular, glossy velvet-black with a striking scarlet daub on the chest and an iridescent green crown and throat. The female is dark gray-brown and heavily streaked underneath. Singles and pairs occupy a broad variety of dry and moist savanna, parkland, and gardens, eating nectar and insects. The species gives a loud series of “tjip” and “teeeuw” notes.

SWEE WAXBILL

A tiny, colorful seed-eating waxbill with grayish underparts, an olive-green back, and a scarlet rump and upper tail. The male has a black throat patch which the female lacks. Pairs and small groups eat grass and small insects in open areas adjacent to forest, thickets, and garden cover. The species is often detected by its simple soft, plaintive “swee-swee” and “seeet” calls.

SOMBRE BULBUL

The sombre greenbul (Andropadus importunus) is a member of the bulbul family of passerine birds. It is a resident breeder in coastal bush, evergreen forest and dry shrub land in eastern and southern Africa. It is the only member of the genus Andropadus.

SUNBIRD COLLARED

A tiny, short-billed sunbird with a metallic-green back and a yellow belly. The male has a green throat and a narrow purplish breast band; the female is duller, with a yellow throat and no breast band. Pairs frequent forest edge, woodland, and savanna, where they join mixed-species flocks to glean leaves and hover to catch insect prey. But they will also feed on fruit and nectar, often by piercing the base of a flower and sucking out nectar without pollinating.

SUNBIRD DOUBLE BREASTED

The southern double-collared sunbird is 12 cm long. The adult male has a glossy, metallic green head, throat, upper breast and back. It has a brilliant red band across the chest, separated from the green breast by a narrow metallic blue band. The rest of the underparts are whitish. When displaying, yellow feather tufts can be seen on the shoulders. As with other sunbirds the bill is long and decurved. The bill, legs and feet are black. The eye is dark brown. The male can be distinguished from the similar greater double-collared sunbird by its smaller size, narrower red chest band and shorter bill.

YELLOWEYED CANARY

The yellow-fronted canary is a common, gregarious seedeater. It is 11–13 cm in length. The adult male has a green back and brown wings and tail. The underparts and rump are yellow, and the head is yellow with a grey crown and nape and a black malar stripe. The female is similar, but with a weaker head pattern and duller underparts. Juveniles are greyer than the female, especially on the head.

YELLOW BILLED KITE

As suggested by its name, the yellow-billed kite is easily recognized by its entirely yellow bill, unlike that of the black kite (which is present in Africa as a visitor during the North Hemisphere winter). However, immature yellow-billed kites resemble the black kites of the corresponding age. This bird is found on Emafini on the west side of the lodge on the edge of the forest in the trees.

LOURIE PURPLE CRESTED

This bird has a purple coloured crest above a green head, a red ring around their eyes, and a black bill. The neck and chest are green and brown. The rest of the body is purple, with red flight feathers. The colourful purple crested lourie (ligwalagwala) is a significant bird in our siSwati culture. Its red plumage is reserved for the Dlamini royal clan known as Children of the Sun (eMalangeni). This bird is in the higher branches of the different trees of the garden. He has a very distinct cal

PLUM COLOURED STARLING

The male has an iridescent violet head and back and pure white underparts. The female has a thrush-like appearance with brown, boldly-streaked upper parts and white, heavily-streaked underparts. Both sexes have yellow irises and black bills and legs

HOOPOE

Utterly unmistakable orange bird with a zebra-striped wings, a Chinese fan of a crest (usually held closed, but often raised just after landing), and a rapier of a bill. Favors semiopen habitats such as heathland, farmland, orchards, grassy lawns, where it feeds on the ground, probing with its long bill for insects. Flight fast and direct, with rather deep wingbeats. Unlikely to be confused, but flight pattern and round wings may loosely resemble that of woodpeckers; note far longer and thinner bill. Song is a distinctive “hoopoopoo.” He can be found on the lawns either by the swimming pool by the lodge or the lawn at the back of the kitchen.

LONG CRESTED EAGLE

The long-crested eagle is a distinctive eagle when perched due to the long, shaggy crest and all dark plumage. The adults are blackish-brown with long, thin feathers growing from the rear of the crown which are held erect to form a crest. The secondary feathers are black barred with light grey and with broad black tips, the primary feathers and median underwing coverts are white, forming a noticeable white patch on the upper and lower surfaces of the wing which is visible in flight. The tail is black, barred with pale grey.[2] The eyes of adults are bright yellow but can be darker in females, and the cere and feet are yellow, paling to white in males. The juveniles are similar to the adults, but the plumage is lighter in color and the crest is not developed and their eyes are grey. The body length is 53–58 cm (21–23 in) and the weight of the female is 1,300–1,500 g (46–53 oz), while the smaller male is 912–1,300 g (32.2–45.9 oz).[3] If He is a round you will find him in front of the Lodge on a tree.

JACKAL BUZZARD

A large, heavy buzzard with striking black, chestnut, and white patterning that is especially evident in flight. Occupies a wide range of open habitats, where it sits on poles, fences, and rocks hunting for small and large vertebrates. The harsh scolding “kaaaa-haa-haa” call is distinctive and like that of a jackal. A rare pale-chested morph can resemble Augur Buzzard, but Jackal Buzzard is always differentiated by the dark (not pale) forward part of the underwing. The brown-and-rufous juvenile Jackal Buzzard is similar to other buzzards, but it is larger, with broad wings and a hefty head This bird is found flying over the entrance to the lodge and the forest on the west side of the lodge.

RED BISHOP

The southern red bishop is 10–11 centimetres long and has a thick conical bill. Breeding males are brightly coloured with red (occasionally orange) and black plumage. The forehead, face and throat are black and the rest of the head is red. The upperparts are red apart from the brown wings and tail. The upper breast and under tail-coverts are red while the lower breast and belly are black. The non-breeding male and female have streaky brown plumage, paler below. Females are smaller than the males.

CRESTED BARBET

With its thick bill and very colourful plumage the crested barbet is unmistakable. This small bird has a speckled yellow and red face with a small black crest. The belly is yellow with red speckles, wings are black with white specks and it has a broad black band on its neck. Yellow head and body with black and white feathers, red markings on end of body, its colour blends well in the bush. They have a distinct trill.

FIERY NIGHT JAR

Medium-sized, typical nightjar, with a strong rufous collar. Both sexes have small pale marks in the outer wings and large ones at the tail corners that are white in males and buff in females. Song is a distinctive series of whistles: “dear lord, deliver us!” Most similar to Rufous-cheeked Nightjar, but darker, with a brighter and more distinct rufous collar.

VILLAGE WEAVER.

A gregarious species of open habitats, especially weedy and agricultural areas; occurs in flocks of tens to hundreds. Typically one of the most common weaver species where it occurs, but care should be taken to separate it from rarer species, especially when in nonbreeding plumage. Note the red eyes, hefty bill, and relatively large size. Village Weavers in other plumages are distinguished from the Northern Red Bishop by their larger size, larger bill, and eye color. Constructs compact hanging woven nests, often in large colonies in or near towns.. Flocks create a loud burbling chatter.

INDIAN MYNA

The common myna is readily identified by the brown body, black hooded head and the bare yellow patch behind the eye. The bill and legs are bright yellow. There is a white patch on the outer primaries and the wing lining on the underside is white. The sexes are similar, and birds are usually seen in pairs.

Eagle Owl

The Eagle Owl is the largest owl in the world and is recognized worldwide by its large size and wingspan. The Eagle Owl has a grey colour with faint black spots all over but no blotching. It has a pale face that is outlined by a bold black outline. It has distinctive pink eyelids and eyes that look black at a distance. The Eagle Owl has a distinctive sand brown undercoat with some streaks of grey. It has prominent eyes that are bright orange and black.