African Safari Part 6 – Birds of Botswana

This is the final part of a multi-part series on an Wilderness Safaris-REI African Safari. The first part (and index) is here: African Safari – Part 1 Overview

Three thoughts to kick off this post:

I never was one to really appreciate birds and their diversity, beauty, and behavior (heck I don’t even like chicken that much). Ike, who was on the safari with us, certainly has an expertise in birds, and his observations got me interested – always good to appreciate something new. If I misnamed any bird someone please let me know and I will correct.
The birds are the emergency broadcast system for the herbivores when a predator approaches. When the birds (particularly the Yellow-Billed Hornbill) sound their cry and fly, herds of animals followed their direction and run as the birds fly.
Apologies for the less-than-great pictures. Birds don’t like their picture taken. With a hand held camera. From a jeep. So not my best photography.

You will see:

Ostrich
Red-billed Hornbill
Long-Tailed Glossy Starling
Pied Kingfisher
Crested Barbet
Hammercock (Hammerkop)
Lilac-Breasted Roller, Little-Bee Eater, and Tawny Eagle

Ostrich. Flightless birds though fast on foot. Addictive to watch. First video will teach you how to tell the sex of an ostrich.

For more Africa Videos see African Safari Part 7 – Lion Videos

Red-Billed Hornbill. Such a beautiful bird, and happy to pose apparently.

Long-Tailed Glossy Starling. This bird has such an amazing plumage (the pictures do not really do justice to the richness of the plumage). And such a loud, aggressive call.

Pied Kingfisher. This beautiful bird primarily eats, you guessed it, fish. It is also the largest bird that can truly hover (which is amazing to think about).