Tanzania Birds

KevinA

Well-Known Member
Two birds seen in Tanzania. I've seen them both in South Africa and Kenya, but still get a buzz photographing them.

According to Wikipedia "The brown-hooded kingfisher (Halcyon albiventris) is a species of bird in the subfamily Halcyoninae, the tree kingfishers. It has a brown head and blackish and turquoise wings. It is found in Sub-Saharan Africa, living in woodland, scrubland, forest edges, and also suburban areas. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has assessed it as being of least concern."

Brown-Hooded Kingfisher, Halcyon albiventris
7D2_0923.jpg



According to Wikipedia "The hamerkop (Scopus umbretta) is a medium-sized wading bird. It is the only living species in the genus Scopus and the family Scopidae. The species and family was long thought to sit with the Ciconiiformes but is now placed with the Pelecaniformes, and its closest relatives are thought to be the pelicans and the shoebill. The shape of its head with a long bill and crest at the back is reminiscent of a hammer, which has given this species its name after the Afrikaans word for hammerhead. It is a medium-sized waterbird with brown plumage. It is found in Africa, Madagascar and Arabia, living in a wide variety of wetlands, including estuaries, lakesides, fish ponds, riverbanks, and rocky coasts. The hamerkop is a sedentary bird that often shows local movements."

Hamerkop, Scopus umbretta
7D2_0788.jpg
 

JimFox

Moderator
Staff member
Wow! And I mean wow!

Love that red beak on the first one. But #2 looks like that bird should be extinct it is so totally different from any bird I have ever seen.

It looks like a very productive trip Kevin!
 

Trent Watts

Well-Known Member
My goodness Kevin.. These are wonderful shots. Can you believe how large and colourful that bill is on the Kingfisher? Amazing.
 

AlanLichty

Moderator
These are some seriously cool birds. The beak on the kingfisher seems huge for the body size and I have never seen a bird quite like the Hamerkop before. That looks like an illustration from a dinosaur book.
 

Jameel Hyder

Moderator
Staff member
Two very lovely birds and their images. Thanks for sharing both the images and the information about them
 

KevinA

Well-Known Member
Wow! And I mean wow!

Love that red beak on the first one. But #2 looks like that bird should be extinct it is so totally different from any bird I have ever seen.

It looks like a very productive trip Kevin!
Thank you Jim. It wasn't as productive as I'd hoped but it was still a good trip

My goodness Kevin.. These are wonderful shots. Can you believe how large and colourful that bill is on the Kingfisher? Amazing.
Thank you Trent. You should see a Stork-billed Kingfisher, that really is big.

These are some seriously cool birds. The beak on the kingfisher seems huge for the body size and I have never seen a bird quite like the Hamerkop before. That looks like an illustration from a dinosaur book.
Thank you Alan. They also build enormous nests in trees rather like the Bald Eagle.

Two great images, Kevin. Thank you so much for the information on each bird. Your comments are so informative.
You're welcome Douglas

Two very lovely birds and their images. Thanks for sharing both the images and the information about them
Thank you Jameel
 
Two birds seen in Tanzania. I've seen them both in South Africa and Kenya, but still get a buzz photographing them.

According to Wikipedia "The brown-hooded kingfisher (Halcyon albiventris) is a species of bird in the subfamily Halcyoninae, the tree kingfishers. It has a brown head and blackish and turquoise wings. It is found in Sub-Saharan Africa, living in woodland, scrubland, forest edges, and also suburban areas. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has assessed it as being of least concern."

Brown-Hooded Kingfisher, Halcyon albiventris
View attachment 69345


According to Wikipedia "The hamerkop (Scopus umbretta) is a medium-sized wading bird. It is the only living species in the genus Scopus and the family Scopidae. The species and family was long thought to sit with the Ciconiiformes but is now placed with the Pelecaniformes, and its closest relatives are thought to be the pelicans and the shoebill. The shape of its head with a long bill and crest at the back is reminiscent of a hammer, which has given this species its name after the Afrikaans word for hammerhead. It is a medium-sized waterbird with brown plumage. It is found in Africa, Madagascar and Arabia, living in a wide variety of wetlands, including estuaries, lakesides, fish ponds, riverbanks, and rocky coasts. The hamerkop is a sedentary bird that often shows local movements."

Hamerkop, Scopus umbretta
View attachment 69346
Kevin, this first bird is gorgeous! The 2nd one is simply exotic.

THANK YOU for sharing the photos with us.

Oliver
 

Michael13

Moderator
Amazing images, you definitely have your capture techniques buttoned down. You should start building these into a book if you haven't already!
 
Top Bottom