Small South African Birds I NEED HELP #1 (1 Viewer)

Greg McKay

I like the pretty colors

• Jun 6, 2007

• #1

Hi all
I have recently returned from Southern Africa where I just Kept taking photos of any birds I saw. I have been able to identify about 75% of them but need help with the rest. The raptors and smaller birds are giving particular trouble. Can you help me with these 5 smaller birds.
All I can work out is
1. Clearly bee eaters the guide said white fronted but I can't see it
2. Looks like a Cape Robin but way out of range photographed near the Nambibian Sth Afr border
3,4 and 5 could be anything i've got no real idea

 

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Andrew Whitehouse

Professor of Listening

Supporter

• Jun 6, 2007

• #2

5 looks like Chestnut-vented Titbabbler.

 

Rachael Smith

Well-known member

• Jun 6, 2007

• #3

Hi Greg, Referring to my guidebook I would agree that 1 is white fronted bee-eater. It has white above and below the bill with a black mask and then red on the lower throat which matches white fronted. 2 looks like a cape robin, as you say, and I don't have a problem with the range as my book says that it can be found in that region. 4 looks like a titbabbler with that white eye, streaked chest and chestnut vent. And 5 is probably the same - were they in the same place? Sorry I can't do much for 3 without a bit more time to research. Andy

 

JWN Andrewes

Poor Judge of Pasta.

• Jun 6, 2007

• #4

1 - Yes, White-fronted. Not sure why you're having trouble seeing this, look like classic White-fronted to me.
1 - Yes, Cape Robin, out of range or not!
3 - One of the Penduline Tits maybe? cape? Mouse-coloured? Not sure what's in that area. (If indeed it is one!)
4 - One of the Tit-Babblers - mind's a blank on the name! See what works in the field guide.
5 - Same as 4.

Nice photos by the way!

James

 

Greg McKay

I like the pretty colors

• Jun 6, 2007

• #5

Thanks Everyone

James My problem with the bee eaters is that my guide shows them with a very light colored breast almost a pale yellow with an almost lime green wing. As per the photo the birds we saw were of a much darker color in these areas particulary on the breast which was a lot darker. As they say never completely trust a field guide

 

Greg McKay

I like the pretty colors

• Jun 6, 2007

• #6

Thanks Rachel

More research
Get that field guide out I still have as many more as I have posted tonite to identify.

 

cuckooroller

Registered User

• Jun 6, 2007

• #7

Yes, agree with the ID's. The Tit-babbler is the Chestnut-vented, i.e. Sylvia [Parisoma] subcaeruleum. James, good eye on the Penduline-Tit - without your kibbitzing I might have had difficulty on the genus - should be the Cape Penduline-Tit (Anthoscopus minutus) on gross morphology.

 

Last edited: Jun 6, 2007

Andrew Whitehouse

Professor of Listening

Supporter

• Jun 6, 2007

• #8

cuckooroller said:

Yes, agree with the ID's. The Tit-babbler is the Layards, i.e. Sylvia [Parisoma] subcaeruleum. James, good eye on the Penduline-Tit - without your kibbitzing I might have had difficulty on the genus - should be the Cape Penduline-Tit (Anthoscopus minutus) on gross morphology.

Click to expand...

Isn't subcaeruleum Chestnut-vented Titbabbler, Steve? Layard's is layardi, unless things have changed recently.

 

cuckooroller

Registered User

• Jun 6, 2007

• #9

Hi Andrew,
You are absolutely right - just screwed up while copying the stuff down from the Sasol - I never use either Parisoma or the S African common names so do not have them down to memory.

 

The Falcon

Registered Birder

• Jun 6, 2007

• #10

Going by my guide books these is what i think the birds are.

1. Is a white fronted bee-eater
2. Is a Cape Robin
3. Don't no yet.
4. Chestnut vented titbabbler
5. Chestnut vented titbabbler

 

Greg McKay

I like the pretty colors

• Jun 7, 2007

• #11

Thanks again everyone

Rachel
4 was taken in the Kgalagadi NP near the Namibin border west side of Sth Afr
5 was taken in the Timbavati area next to Kruger East sid of Sth Afr

 

D

David Swanepoel

Active member

• Jun 8, 2007

• #12

Cape Penduline tit for me on nr.3