Woodpecker, Boubous and Weavers in Botswana Sept-Oct 2017 (1 Viewer)

A few birds from Botswana, photos in more than one post below

The first 3 pics show a woodpecker seen during the journey to Moremi from Maun. I initially ID'd this as Golden-tailed but am concerned about the apparently barred back.

The following shots show 2, or 3 different Boubous seen in the grounds of Mowanna Safari Lodge, Kasane. The new Birds of Botswana guide shows clear separation of distribution between Swamp and Tropical Boubou leaving Tropical as the only contender here. other sources however refer to an overlap in the 'Chobe-Zambezi confluence' with possible hybridization. All the birds shown were confiding and seen on the ground. The bird seen in the first 2 photos may be the same as the one in the 3rd and 4th but the birds in the next 2 posts are separate individuals.

Lastly a Weaver on the bird table at the same lodge. The table was visited by Holubs Golden and Village Weaver but I don't think the female shown is either of these species. The other shots show birds on the shore of the Chobe river.

The first 1 or 2 Boubous

The next 2 Boubous

the weavers (and a Wattled Starling)

To get this back up to the top of the page so someone more knowledgeable can comment:

#1 1-3 Look OK for Golden-tailed Woodpecker I think;
#2 1-4 & #3 1-3 are all white on the underside so presumably Swamp Boubou. I'm not sure if there is a pinkish wash on #3 4 & 5 or if it is just shadow;

Won't try the Weavers!

In case this helps identify the female weaver I have found 2 more photos of another at the bird table at Kasane [with a Holub's Golden Weaver and Mourning Dove]