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Raptor - South Africa - 21 Oct 08 (1 Viewer)

David_H_UK

Active member
I assume that this is an immature bird, but unable to identify.

The first photo it was sitting on a branch, then flew to a tree and appeared to be very interested in something on the trunk.

Any views?

David
 

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Nice images!

Please upload at least one image to the gallery, not much in there with the juvenile, and an image in the gallery is likely to be seen by a lot more people than one in a thread like this.

Cheers
Niels
 
Cracking images David.
These long-legged raptors have highly mobile tarsal joints which allow them to probe holes, crevices & weaver nests for lizards, chicks,etc. Like Palm-nut Vultures they will also sometimes feed on Oil palm fruit.
They have an almost pathological interest in holes!!! ;)

Below is an image of another immature probing a hole (taken in West Africa):
 

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Hi Bob.

It´s one of the 'glossy starlings' but I can´t see wich one.
The glossy ones are tricky to identify because of their iridescent plumages, which varies with light and angel of the bird. Stunning birds!
JanJ

There are three starlings this colour in Kruger. I don't think its the Burchell's Starling as the tail is not long enough, which leaves the Greater Blue-eared Starling or the Cape Glossy Starling. Without seeing the eye, it's difficult to tell! Both of them have a bright yellow eye, but the Blue-eared has an elongate broad dark ear patch round the eye and the Cape does not. I think that the pic (not yours) your URL refers to labelled 'Cape Glossy Starling' is in fact a Greater Blue Eared Starling. Not only does it have that dark ear patch but the pattern of spots on the wing is more pronounced in the Greater Blue-eared Starling - shown beautifully in this pic.
 
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There are three starlings this colour in Kruger. I don't think its the Burchell's Starling as the tail is not long enough, which leaves the Greater Blue-eared Starling or the Cape Glossy Starling. Without seeing the eye, it's difficult to tell! Both of them have a bright yellow eye, but the Blue-eared has an elongate broad dark ear patch round the eye and the Cape does not. I think that the pic (not yours) your URL refers to labelled 'Cape Glossy Starling' is in fact a Greater Blue Eared Starling. Not only does it have that dark ear patch but the pattern of spots on the wing is more pronounced in the Greater Blue-eared Starling - shown beautifully in this pic.

Here's a Kruger Park Greater Blue-eared Starling. You can clearly see the dark ear patch behind the eye to which Sal refers. Hope this helps.

Great pictures of the young African Harrier Hawk - well done, and thanks.

Dave
 

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