วันศุกร์ที่ 19 กุมภาพันธ์ พ.ศ. 2553

Buttonquail


Buttonquail or hemipodes are members of a small family of birds, Turnicidae, which resemble, but are unrelated to, the quails of Phasianidae. They inhabit warm grasslands in Asia, Africa, and Australia.

Crows, Jays, Magpies and Treepies


The Corvidae - Crows and Their Relatives

The family Corvidae comprises a medium sized group of passerine (perching) birds. It is a reasonably well known family, however in Sibley and Monroe's new phylogeny, many other traditional families have been incorporated into the family Corvidae giving it a huge and unwieldy 649 species. Here however I have stayed with the traditional Howard and Moore classification of the family and will treat the other families independently as well. The Corvidae in this scheme is made up of about 119 species in 26 genera.

Hawks


The term hawk can be used in several ways:

* In strict usage in Europe and Asia, to mean any of the species in the subfamily Accipitrinae, which comprises the genera Accipiter, Micronisus, Melierax, Urotriorchis and Megatriorchis. The large and widespread Accipiter genus includes goshawks, sparrowhawks, the Sharp-shinned Hawk and others. These are mainly woodland birds with long tails and high visual acuity, hunting by sudden dashes from a concealed perch. See Eagle.
* More generally (especially in North America) to mean falcons or small to medium-sized members of the Accipitridae – the family which includes the "true hawks" (Accipiters) as well as eagles, kites, harriers and buzzards.
* Loosely, to mean almost any bird of prey outside of the order Strigiformes (owls).

Immature Northern Goshawk with fresh kill
Hawk sighted in Toronto in front of the Fields Institute.

The common names of birds in various parts of the world often use hawk in the second sense. For example, the Osprey or "fish hawk"; or, in North America, the various Buteo species (e.g., the Red-tailed Hawk, B. jamaicensis).

In February 2005, the Canadian ornithologist Louis Lefebvre announced a method of measuring avian "IQ" in terms of their innovation in feeding habits.[1] Hawks were named among the most intelligent birds based on his scale.

Hawks are widely reputed to have visual acuity several times that of a normal human being. This is due to the many photoreceptors in the retina (up to 1,000,000 per square mm for Buteo, against 200,000 for humans), an exceptional number of nerves connecting these receptors to the brain, and an indented fovea, which magnifies the central portion of the visual field.

Pheasants


The Common Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus), is a bird in the pheasant family (Phasianidae). It is native to Russia and has been widely introduced elsewhere as a game bird. In parts of its range, namely in places where none of its relatives occur such as in Europe (where it is naturalized), it is simply known as the "pheasant". "Ring-necked Pheasant" is a collective name for a number of subspecies and their crossbreeds. It has the smallest known[when?] genome of all living amniotes, only 0.97 pg (970 million base pairs) [1].

It is a well-known gamebird, among those of more than regional importance perhaps the most widespread and ancient one in the whole world. The Common Pheasant is one of the world's most hunted birds[2]; it has been introduced for that purpose to many regions, and is also common on game farms where it is commercially bred. Ring-necked Pheasants in particular are commonly bred and were introduced to many parts of the world; the game farm stock, though no distinct breeds have been developed yet, can be considered semi-domesticated. The Ring-necked Pheasant is the state bird of South Dakota, one of only three US state birds that is not a species native to the United States.

The Green Pheasant (P. versicolor) of Japan is sometimes placed as subspecies within the Common Pheasant. Though the species produce fertile hybrids wherever they coexist, this is simply a typical feature among Galloanseres, in which postzygotic isolating mechanisms are slight compared to most other birds. The species apparently have somewhat different ecological requirements and at least in its typical habitat the Green outcompetes the Common Pheasant; its introduction to Japan has therefore largely failed.

Hornbills


History

The Hornbill Research Foundation was set up following a project initiating research into the ecology of hornbills by the Faculty of Science, Mahidol University in 1980. The study was begun in Khao Yai National Park and later expended to include forests in western and sounthern regions. Apart form the biology and ecology of hornbills, research was also made into their range and status throughout the country. As a result, an increasing number of research workers were needed to cope with the expansion of project and the maintenance of uninterrupted record-keeping.

This led to the creation of a foundation which H.R.H. Princess Mahachakri Sirinthorn was graciously pleased to name, and “The Hornbill Research Foundation” was set up on July 1993.


[Hornbill] The Importance of Hornbills

Hornbills are both fruit and fresh eaters. They are far-ranging in their search for food and drop the seeds of the fruits they eat as they go, dispersing them over a wide area.They are thus important seed dispersers for the forest, acting as agents of forest regeneration, at the same time as controlling insects and other small animal populations. As such, they can be regarded as indicators of high moist forests, ensuring the continuance of forest health and species richness.

Aims

1. To continuce and expand further research intiatives into hornbills and related topics.
2. To disseminate information on forest and the wildlife within them to the public.
3. Develop interest in and encourage the study of natural ecosystems among scientists, researchers, students and schoolchildren.
4. Set up a centre for the exchange of information and training in research into hornbills at both national and international levels.
5. To work for the good of the public or co-operate with other nonprofit-making institutions for public benefit.
6. Not to be involved with any political activity.


Current Research Projects

Many important topics of research presently underway have been initiated by the project for the study of the Ecology of Hornbills, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University working in conjunction with the National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department and the Faculty of Forestry, Kasetsart University.

Survey of the range and status of hornbill populations throughout Thailand

The present distribution and status of wild hornbills is not yet know with any certainty, even
though such basic data is essential to manage the conservation of hornbills and their habitats.




Study of the biology and ecology of endangered hornbill species

Many species of Thai hornbills are at present near extinction. It is therefore vital to understand the basic needs for their survival in order to protect and conserve them. This study is currently being pursued in Huai Kha khaeng-Thung Yai wildlife Sanctuary and several protected forests in the south.

Endangered hornbill species include :

a. Wrinkled Hornbill b. Plain-pouched hornbill
c. Rufous-necked Hornbill d. Rhinoceros Hornbill
e. Helmeted Hornbill f. Black Hornbill
g. White-crowned Hounbill


Study of the biology and ecology of hornbills in khao Yai National Park

Research here has centred upon a long-term study of the breeding status of hornbills, identifying the factors necessary for successful breeding and growth of population, and the collection of data to determine the numbers of breeding pairs the study area might support, to study hornbill food plants, etc. Information collected is being used to adjust and improve abandoned nesting holes so that they may be re-occupied. Should this project prove successful, both the knowledge gained and the methods used can be applied to toher areas of conservation in the country. [Hornbill]


Youth Education Programme to inculcate interest in wildilife and the forest

The survival of Thailand’s forests ans wildlife will depend upon people’s understanding of the importance of the forests to their lives and the urgent need to help conserve them. With this in mind, the Foundation has produced booklets, held exhitions, given illustrated talks with slides, slide multivision shows and videos and organize “We love hornbills” nature Camps where children have been taken on guided treks through the forest and engaged in other nature activities. A nation-wide Hornbill Painting Competition has been organized.
Besides this varied youth programme and the opportunities offered for training in hornbill research, our target of awareness, through the publication of our research,will also be directed to the general public.

Owls and Nightjars


OWLS AND NIGHTJARS

Many species of owl contribute to the rich array of birds found in the Park. All are nocturnal predators which capture and feed on small creatures such as other birds, enormous numbers of mice, frogs, in sects and sometimes even hares. An exception is the very rare Fishing Owl (Scotopelia peli) which scoops fish and crabs from the shallower waters of rivers. Several nests of these large and unusual birds have been found along the Luvuvhu River at Pafuri.

Most owls are mottled in patterns of brown, grey and black, and have a number of very useful adaptations to assist in their predatory way of life. Their senses of sight and hearing are exceptionally keen, enabling them to locate prey during twilight or in the reflected light of the moon, and among some species in total darkness, while modified wing feathers enable them to swoop silently onto their prey. As they are only active at night they are rarely seen by visitors. With luck, an occasional individual may sometimes be seen during the day, perched in slumber in the branches of some tree.

Nightjars are much smaller than owls but are also nocturnal predators. All are mottled and speckled in varying shades of brown, with blotches of white helping to increase their camouflage. They have wide mouths, with short pointed beaks used to capture their insect prey. Several species are found, most of them being fairly common but rarely seen because of their nocturnal habits. Many sit on the ground in open clearings or on roads during the early hours of night, patiently waiting for insects to fly into view

Sarothrura rufa (Red-chested flufftail)


The Red-chested Flufftail (Latin name Sarothrura rufa) is described in Roberts Birds of Southern Africa, 7th Edition. This bird has a unique Roberts number of 217 and you will find a full description of this bird on page 317 also a picture of the Red-chested Flufftail on page . The Red-chested Flufftail belongs to the family of birds classified as . According to the Percy FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology the Red-chested Flufftail is also known by these other names: Red-chested Crake, Red-chested Pygmy Crake, Red-chested Pygmy Rail.

The map of the Kruger you see on this page shows the areas (coloured orange) where this bird has been identified. The basic information was provided by the Avian Demographic Unit based at UCT and I created the maps from that information ... the green dots show the locations of the various Kruger National Park Rest Camps

The Red-chested Flufftail is neither Endemic or near Endemic to the Kruger National Park. It is however a rare resident

In terms of distribution of the Red-chested Flufftail in the Kruger National Park you may not see it in all areas. Red-chested Flufftail : see above distribution map.

Identification assistance for this avian species ...

The male and female Red-chested Flufftail have the same plumage and colours

* Head is .
* Eye is .
* Bill is .
* Throat is .
* Back is .
* Legs are .

This bird has normally proportioned leg length.

Sarothrura elegans (Buff-spotted flufftail)


The Buff-spotted Flufftail (Latin name Sarothrura elegans) is described in Roberts Birds of Southern Africa, 7th Edition. This bird has a unique Roberts number of 218 and you will find a full description of this bird on page 315 also a picture of the Buff-spotted Flufftail on page 320. The Buff-spotted Flufftail belongs to the family of birds classified as Rallidae. According to the Percy FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology the Buff-spotted Flufftail is also known by these other names: Buff-spotted Crake, Buff-spotted Pygmy Crake, Buff-spotted Pygmy Rail.

The map of the Kruger you see on this page shows the areas (coloured orange) where this bird has been identified. The basic information was provided by the Avian Demographic Unit based at UCT and I created the maps from that information ... the green dots show the locations of the various Kruger National Park Rest Camps

The Buff-spotted Flufftail is neither Endemic or near Endemic to the Kruger National Park.

In terms of distribution of the Buff-spotted Flufftail in the Kruger National Park you may not see it in all areas. Buff-spotted Flufftail : see above distribution map.

Identification assistance for this avian species ...

One of the first indicators to take note of when trying to identify a bird is it relative size. For example how big is the bird compared to a well known familiar bird. The Buff-spotted Flufftail is a small bird about the size of a house sparrow. Do not take this relative indicator as anything other than a rough easy to remember indicator. It is not a accurate visualization. The height of the Buff-spotted Flufftail is about 17 cms and its weight is about 45 gms

You will find that the male Buff-spotted Flufftail plumage and colours are different to that of the female Buff-spotted Flufftail

* Head is orange.
* Eye is brown.
* Bill is black.
* Throat is orange.
* Back is black.
* Legs are black.

This bird has normally proportioned leg length.

African rail



The African Rail (Rallus caerulescens) is a small wetland bird of the rail family.

Its breeding habitat is marshes and reedbeds across eastern and southern Africa from Ethiopia to South Africa. Many birds are permanent residents, but some undertake seasonal movements in response to the availability of wetland.

Adults are 28-30 cm long, and have mainly brown upperparts and blue-grey underparts, with black-and-white barring on the flanks and undertail. This is the only Rallus species with a plain back. The body is flattened laterally to allow easier passage through the reeds. They have long toes, a short tail and a long slim dull red bill. The legs are red.

The African Rail nests in a dry location in marsh vegetation, both sexes building the cup nest. The typical clutch is 2-6 heavily-spotted creamy-white eggs, which are incubated by both sexes for about 20 days to hatching Immature birds are similar to the adults, but the blue-grey is replaced by buff. The precocial downy chicks are black, as with all rails.
Rallus caerulescens


These birds probe with their bill in mud or shallow water, also picking up food by sight. They mainly eat insects, crabs and other small aquatic animals.

African Rails are secretive in the breeding season, but are easier to see than many other rail species, especially in the morning. They are noisy birds, with a trilled whistled treee-tee-tee-tee-tee call.

Baillon's crake


Baillon's Crake Size: 15cm Habitat: Found in most areas of Australia where wetlands exist. It can be found foraging for insects and molluscs in swamps and dams. Also eats vegetation. Notes: Top of head and body brown with black and white streaks, grey face and underside of body, barred undertail legs light green. Breeds Spring - Summer.

Spotted crake


Identification

Spotted crakes are smaller and even more portly than Water Rails. The short bill confirms that this isn't a Water Rail and the snowfall of white spots on the head, breast and upper-parts proves that you have a Spotted Crake and not something even rarer.
Habitat

Breeds in well-vegetated swamps and lakesides.
Migration

Many European birds winter in southern Europe, with some travelling across the Mediterranean to north Africa. Some birds will overwinter in countries around the North Sea

American purple gallinule



Encyclopedia

This article is about the (American) Purple Gallinule, (Porphyrio martinica). For information on the Purple Gallinule (Porphyrio porphyrio), see Purple Swamphen
Purple Swamphen
The Purple Swamphen , also known as the African Purple Swamphen, Purple Moorhen, Purple Gallinule or Purple Coot, is a large bird in the family Rallidae . From its name in French, talève sultane, it is also known as the Sultana Bird. It should not be confused with the American Purple Gallinule,...

.



The American Purple Gallinule (Porphyrio martinica) is a "swamp hen" in the rail family Rallidae.

This medium-sized rail is unmistakable, with its huge yellow feet, purple-blue plumage
Feather
Feathers are one of the epidermal growths that form the distinctive outer covering, or plumage, on birds. They are considered the most complex integumentary structures found in vertebrates. They are among the outstanding characteristics that distinguish the extant Aves from other living groups....

with a green back, and red and yellow bill. It has a pale blue forehead shield and white undertail.

Young birds are brown rather than purple. These gallinules will fly short distances with dangling legs.

Their breeding habitat is warm swamps and marshes in southeastern states of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

and the tropical regions of Central America
Central America
Managua
Guatemala City
San Salvador
San Pedro Sula
Panama City
San José, Costa Rica
Santa Ana, El Salvador
León
San Miguel|-|}...

, the Caribbean
Caribbean
The Caribbean is a region consisting of the Caribbean Sea, its islands , and the surrounding coasts...

and northern South America
South America
South America is the southern continent of the Americas, situated entirely in the Western Hemisphere and mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere...

. This species is resident in southern Florida
Florida
Florida is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States, bordering Alabama to the northwest and Georgia to the north. It was the 27th state admitted to the United States...

and the tropics, but most American birds are migratory
Bird migration
Bird migration is the regular seasonal journey undertaken by many species of birds. Bird movements include those made in response to changes in food availability, habitat or weather. These however are usually irregular or in only one direction and are termed variously as nomadism, invasions,...

, wintering south to Argentina
Argentina
Argentina, officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America, constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires. It is the eighth largest country in the world by land area and the largest among Spanish-speaking nations, though Mexico,...

.

The nest is a floating structure in a marsh. Five to ten egg
Egg (biology)
In most birds and reptiles, an egg is the zygote, resulting from fertilization of the ovum. To enable incubation the egg is usually kept within a favourable temperature range as it nourishes and protects the growing embryo. When the embryo is adequately developed it breaks out of the egg in the...

s are laid. Their coloration is buff with brown spots.

The diet of these rails is omnivorous, being known to include a wide variety of plant and animal matter, including seed
Seed
A seed , referred to as a kernel in some plants, is a small embryonic plant enclosed in a covering called the seed coat, usually with some stored food. It is the product of the ripened ovule of gymnosperm and angiosperm plants which occurs after fertilization and some growth within the mother plant...

s, leaves and fruit
Fruit
The term fruit has different meanings dependent on context, and the term is not synonymous in food preparation and biology. Fruits are the means by which flowering plants disseminate seeds, and the presence of seeds indicates that a structure is most likely a fruit, though not all seeds come from...

s of both aquatic and terrestrial plants, as well as insect
Insect
Insects are arthropods, having a hard exoskeleton, a three-part body , three pairs of jointed legs, compound eyes, and two antennae. They are the most diverse group of animals on the planet and include more than a million species that are already described. Insects represent more than half of all...

s, frog
Frog
Frogs are amphibians in the order Anura , formerly referred to as Salientia . Most frogs are characterized by long hind legs, a short body, webbed digits , protruding eyes and the absence of a tail...

s, snail
Snail
The word snail is a common name for almost all members of the molluscan class Gastropoda that have coiled shells in the adult stage. When the word snail is used in a general sense, it includes sea snails, land snails and freshwater snails. Snails lacking a shell or having only a very small one are...

s, spider
Spider
Spiders are air-breathing chelicerate arthropods that have eight legs, and chelicerae modified into fangs that inject venom. They are the largest order of arachnids and rank seventh in total species diversity among all other groups of organisms...

s, earthworm
Earthworm
Earthworm is the common name for the largest members of Oligochaeta in the phylum Annelida. In classical systems they were placed in the order Opisthopora, on the basis of the male pores opening posterior to the female pores, even though the internal male segments are anterior to the female...

s and fish
Fish
A fish is any aquatic vertebrate animal that is typically ectothermic , covered with scales, and equipped with two sets of paired fins and several unpaired fins...

. It has also been known to eat the eggs and young of other birds.

This species is a very rare vagrant to western Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally divided from Asia to its east by the water divide of the Ural Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian Sea, the Caucasus Mountains , and the Black Sea to the southeast...

. There is a similar species in southern Europe, the Purple Swamphen
Purple Swamphen
The Purple Swamphen , also known as the African Purple Swamphen, Purple Moorhen, Purple Gallinule or Purple Coot, is a large bird in the family Rallidae . From its name in French, talève sultane, it is also known as the Sultana Bird. It should not be confused with the American Purple Gallinule,...

, Porphyrio porphyrio, but that bird is much larger.

African purple swamphen, Purple gallinule


The African Purple Swamphen (Latin name Porphyrio madagascariensis) is described in Roberts Birds of Southern Africa, 7th Edition. This bird has a unique Roberts number of 223 and you will find a full description of this bird on page 330 also a picture of the African Purple Swamphen on page 305. The African Purple Swamphen belongs to the family of birds classified as Rallidae. According to the Percy FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology the African Purple Swamphen is also known by these other names: Purple Swamphen, King Reedhen.

In the previous edition of Roberts (ie 6th edition) the African Purple Swamphen was called the Purple Gallinule. The Robert's 7 Latin name for African Purple Swamphen has changed from Porphyrio porphyrio in Robert's 6 to Porphyrio madagascariensis.

The map of the Kruger you see on this page shows the areas (coloured orange) where this bird has been identified. The basic information was provided by the Avian Demographic Unit based at UCT and I created the maps from that information ... the green dots show the locations of the various Kruger National Park Rest Camps

The African Purple Swamphen is neither Endemic or near Endemic to the Kruger National Park.

In terms of distribution of the African Purple Swamphen in the Kruger National Park you may not see it in all areas. African Purple Swamphen has been recorded in only 1 sections of the arbitrary Kruger Park regions I selected.

Porphyrio alleni (Allen's gallinule, Lesser gallinule)


The Allen's Gallinule (Porphyrio alleni), formerly known as the Lesser Gallinule is a small waterbird of the family Rallidae. Its former binomial name is Porphyrula alleni.

Its breeding habitat is marshes and lakes in sub-Saharan Africa. They build a floating nest in marshes and swamps, laying 2-5 eggs. This species is partially migratory, undertaking seasonal movements.

Remarkably, this apparently weakly flying bird is not only the only species with a purely sub-Saharan African range to have reached Great Britain, but has done so twice. It has also occurred as a vagrant in several other European countries.

They are similar in size to the only slightly larger Water Rail. The Allen's Gallinule has a short red bill, greenish back and purple upperparts. They have red legs with long toes, and a short tail which is white with a dark central bar underneath. Breeding males have a blue frontal shield, which is green in the female. Immature Allen's Gallinules are sandy brown with a buff undertail. The downy chicks are black, as with all rails.

These birds probe with their bill in mud or shallow water, also picking up food by sight. They mainly eat insects and aquatic animals. They nod their heads as they swim.

Allen's Gallinules are very secretive in the breeding season, particularly in the dense swamps they favour, and are mostly heard rather than seen. They are then rather noisy birds, with a sharp nasal pruk call. They can be easier to see on migration or when wintering.

This bird is named after British naval officer Rear-Admiral William Allen (1770-1843).

Gallinula chloropus (Common moorhen)


The Common Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) is a bird in the Rail family with an almost worldwide distribution. It is often called the "Common Waterhen", especially in the British Isles, and this is a more descriptive name because the bird lives around well-vegetated marshes, ponds, canals, etc., and is usually not found in moorland. Another name, popular in the USA, is Common Gallinule. The bird is not found in the polar regions, or many tropical rainforests. But elsewhere the Common Moorhen is likely the most commonly seen Rail species to most people, excepting the Coot in some regions.

A "watercock" is not a male "waterhen", but the rail species Gallicrex cinerea, not especially closely related to the Common Moorhen. "Water rail" usually refers to Rallus aquaticus, again not closely related.

Gallinula angulata (Lesser moorhen)


The Lesser Moorhen (Latin name Gallinula angulata) is described in Roberts Birds of Southern Africa, 7th Edition. This bird has a unique Roberts number of 227 and you will find a full description of this bird on page 335 also a picture of the Lesser Moorhen on page 305. The Lesser Moorhen belongs to the family of birds classified as Rallidae.

The map of the Kruger you see on this page shows the areas (coloured orange) where this bird has been identified. The basic information was provided by the Avian Demographic Unit based at UCT and I created the maps from that information ... the green dots show the locations of the various Kruger National Park Rest Camps

The Lesser Moorhen is neither Endemic or near Endemic to the Kruger National Park. It is however a summer resident

In terms of distribution of the Lesser Moorhen in the Kruger National Park you may not see it in all areas. Lesser Moorhen : see above distribution map.

Identification assistance for this avian species ...

The Lesser Moorhen is a bird about the same size as a starling. The height of the Lesser Moorhen is about 24 cms and its weight is about 150 gms

You will find that the male Lesser Moorhen plumage and colours are different to that of the female Lesser Moorhen

* Head is black.
* Eye is brown.
* Bill is red.
* Throat is grey.
* Back is black, grey.
* Legs are yellow.

This bird has normally proportioned leg length.
Main diet items for this bird ...

The Lesser Moorhen feeds in or around water mainly

Invertebrates

Seeds

Aquatic life forms

Breeding and nesting habits for this bird ...

The Lesser Moorhen is monogamous unless its mate dies. In the event of a partner dying Gallinula angulata will seek out a new mate

The nesting habit of Lesser Moorhen is to create the nest on water. The bird lays eggs which are cream in colour and number between 4 to 9
Habitat and flocking behaviour for this bird ...

The preferred habitats for Lesser Moorhen are: wetlands

You will normally see the Lesser Moorhen by itself rather than in the company of birds of the same species.
Names of this avian species in other languages ...

Xhosa ... Unknown

Zulu ... Unknown

Afrikaans ...Kleinwaterhoender

German ... Zwergteichhuhn

Portuguese ... Galinha-d'gua-pequena

French ... Gallinule africaine

Dutch ... Afrikaans Waterhoen

First bird in list | Previous bird viewed | Next KNP bird | Last bird in list

For in-depth birding information please refer to these authoritative avian references ...

Robert's 7th edition number ... 227

The main reference source for this data was "Roberts - Birds of Southern Africa, 7th Edition" . Other references were "Newmans Birds of the Kruger Park" by Keith Newman published circa 1980 . Names in foreign languages were obtained from the Percy Fitzpatrick Institute of African Ornithology, University of Cape Town website , www.fitzpatrick.uct.ac.za

Fulica cristata (Red-knobbed coot)


Fulica cristata
Other Names

English Crested Coot French Foulque à crête, Foulque caronculée German Kammbäßhuhn Spanish Focha Moruna Swedish Kamsothöna Dutch Knobbelmeerkoet Italian Folaga cornuta, Folaga crestata

World: Southern Spain, northern Morocco, East Africa and the southern part of the continent from Angola and Zaire through to S Africa, also Madagascar.

Kenya: Common on open water, mostly confined to the West. Rare on the coast and absent from the arid desert regions.

A gregarious bird which can be seen in extremely large numbers (groups of 1,000+ have been recorded) outside the breeding season. During the breeding season the adults develop 2 dark red knobs at the top of the frontal shield. Outside the breeding season these are reduced in size and not as brightly coloured (as can be seen in the picture above).

Crex crex (Corn crake, Corncrake)



flying European distribution
European distribution
Identification

The distinctive call of the Corncrake is usually the only contact you will have with this elusive and declining species. If you are lucky enough to catch a glimpse it will probably be of a bird flying weakly away, with its rufous wings standing out and with its legs dangling behind it. Birds seen on the ground are quite distinctive, particularly the yellow bill and legs, grey facial stripes, dark back and rufous wings. They could almost be a cross between a Partridge and a Water Rail.
Habitat

Breeds in hay meadows, nettle-patches and damp pasture.
Migration

The majority of birds winter in Ethiopian Africa, though the exact winter range is not known. They return to their breeding range in April-May and depart in August-September.

Crecopsis egregia (African crake)


The African Crake (Latin name Crecopsis egregia) is described in Roberts Birds of Southern Africa, 7th Edition. This bird has a unique Roberts number of 212 and you will find a full description of this bird on page 324 also a picture of the African Crake on page 320. The African Crake belongs to the family of birds classified as Rallidae.

The Robert's 7 Latin name for African Crake has changed from Crex egregia in Robert's 6 to Crecopsis egregia

The map of the Kruger you see on this page shows the areas (coloured orange) where this bird has been identified. The basic information was provided by the Avian Demographic Unit based at UCT and I created the maps from that information ... the green dots show the locations of the various Kruger National Park Rest Camps

The African Crake is neither Endemic or near Endemic to the Kruger National Park. It is however a rare summer resident

In terms of distribution of the African Crake in the Kruger National Park you may not see it in all areas. African Crake : see above distribution map.

Identification assistance for this avian species ...

The African Crake is a smallish bird but somewhat larger than a house sparrow. The height of the African Crake is about 23 cms and its weight is about 120 gms

The male and female African Crake have the same plumage and colours

* Head is black.
* Eye is brown.
* Bill is grey.
* Throat is white.
* Back is black, white.
* Legs are grey.

This bird has normally proportioned leg length.
Main diet items for this bird ...

The African Crake feeds on the ground mainly

Invertebrates
Breeding and nesting habits for this bird ...

The African Crake is monogamous unless its mate dies. In the event of a partner dying Crecopsis egregia will seek out a new mate

The nesting habit of African Crake is to create the nest in branches of a tree or shrub. The bird lays eggs which are pink in colour and number between 2 to 8
Habitat and flocking behaviour for this bird ...

The preferred habitats for African Crake are: grasslands

You can expect to see African Crake in flocks, or pairs or as single birds.
Names of this avian species in other languages ...

Xhosa ... Unknown

Zulu ... Unknown

Afrikaans ...Afrikaanse Riethaan

German ... Steppenralle

Portuguese ... Codornizo-africano

French ... Rle des prs

Dutch ... 0

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For in-depth birding information please refer to these authoritative avian references ...

Robert's 7th edition number ... 212

The main reference source for this data was "Roberts - Birds of Southern Africa, 7th Edition" . Other references were "Newmans Birds of the Kruger Park" by Keith Newman published circa 1980 . Names in foreign languages were obtained from the Percy Fitzpatrick Institute of African Ornithology, University of Cape Town website , www.fitzpatrick.uct.ac.za

Aenigmatolimnas marginalis (Striped crake)


The Striped Crake is a Southern African bird that belongs to the Rallidae bird family group which includes birds such as Flufftails, Rails, Crakes, Gallinules, Swamphens, Moorhens, Coots.

The description for the Striped Crake (Latin name Aenigmatolimnas marginalis) can be found in the 7th Edition of the Roberts Birds of Southern Africa. The Aenigmatolimnas marginalis can be quickly identified by its unique Roberts identification number of 216 and the detailed description of this bird is on page 329. You will find a picture of the Striped Crake on page 320.

NOTE: The reference for the information following is "Roberts Birds of Southern Africa", 7th Edition*. This edition contained a number of taxonomic changes as well as changes to English names used traditionally and in earlier editions of most bird books in South Africa. The following paragraph notes such changes if any.

There have been no changes in the common name between the Roberts 6th and Roberts 7th Edition. There have been no changes in the Latin name for the Striped Crake between the Roberts 6th and Roberts 7th Edition

The Striped Crake has a height of 21 cms and weighs around 50 gms. The head is coloured brown while the bill is coloured green. The Aenigmatolimnas marginalis has a brown coloured throat, green legs and a brown coloured back. The eyes are brown.

The male Aenigmatolimnas marginalis has physical features that are slightly different from the female bird.

Take note of the main distinguishing features such as colour, size and leg length relative to the body size. Colours of body parts can be helpful. Be aware what may appear brown to one person is described in Roberts using some other word ... for example brown, black. See colours used in Roberts.

Head is brown

Eyes are brown

Bill is green

Legs are green

Throat is brown

Back is brown

Feeding Habits ...

This bird forages for food on the ground

This bird has a specially adapted bill which helps it hunt for fish, crabs, shrimp and other aquatic animals in the water.

Breeding, Habitat and Nesting Habits ...

The Striped Crake is a monogamous bird which means that the bird finds and breeds with one partner for the rest of its life. The bird lays between 3 to 5 eggs and they are coloured pink.

The bird builds its nest on the ground with figs, straw and leaves. The nest is placed under a bush to protect the young from predators.

The Striped Crake is found in the Southern African wetlands, riverine forests and moist grasslands.

The bird is at home in riverine forests and close to water bodies such as lakes, dams and streams

Seen in Flocks, Singles or Pairs Normally ...

Porzana flavirostra (Black crake)


Swartriethaan [Afrikaans]; umJekejeke, umJengejenge [Zulu]; Katukutuku (generic term for crake) [Kwangali]; Nhapata (generic name for coot, gallinule, moorhen, crake or rail) [Shona]; Hukunambu, Nkukumezane [Tsonga]; Zwart poseleinhoen [Dutch]; Râle à bec jaune [French]; Mohrenralle, Negerralle [German]; Franga-d'água-preta [Portuguese]

Terns


Terns are seabirds in the family Sternidae, previously considered a subfamily Sterninae of the gull family Laridae. They are less closely related to the waders, auks and skimmers. They have a worldwide distribution.

Most terns belong to the large genus Sterna, with the other genera being small, though some authorities split the genus Sterna into several smaller genera (see list, below).

Distribution / Range

Many terns breeding in temperate zones are long-distance migrants, and the Arctic Tern probably sees more daylight than any other creature, since it migrates from its northern breeding grounds to Antarctic waters.

One Arctic Tern, ringed as a chick (not yet able to fly) on the Farne Islands off the Northumberland coast in eastern Britain in summer 1982, reached Melbourne, Australia in October 1982, a sea journey of over 22,000 km (14,000 miles) in just three months from fledging - an average of over 240 km per day, and one of the longest journeys ever recorded for a bird.

Terns are generally long-lived birds, with several species now known to live in excess of 25-30 years.

Description

They are in general medium to large birds, typically with grey or white plumage, often with black markings on the head. They have longish bills and webbed feet.

They are lighter bodied and more streamlined than gulls, and look elegant in flight with long tails and long narrow wings.

Terns in the genus Sterna have deeply forked tails, those in Chlidonias and Larosterna shallowly forked tails, while the noddies (genera Anous, Procelsterna, Gygis) have unusual 'notched wedge' shaped tails, the longest tail feathers being the middle-outer, not the central nor the outermost.

Terns only glide infrequently; a few species, notably Sooty Tern, will soar high above the sea. Apart from bathing, they only rarely swim, despite having webbed feet.

Gulls


Description & Characteristics:

The Kelp or Dominican gull lives on the Antarctic Peninsula and at most sub-Antarctic islands, where it is resident year-round, generally in small numbers. They are also broadly distributed throughout southern Africa, Australasia and South America. A subspecies of the Kelp gull (Larus dominicanus vetula) is found along the southern African coastline. It is now considered sufficiently different from the principal race to be regarded as a separate species.

Kelp gulls have a white head, neck, underbody, rump and tail. The saddle and upperwing is slate-black with a white leading edge. The yellow bill has a rounded red spot at the tip.

Kelp gulls are opportunistic feeders, preying on and scavenging mollusks, fish, crustaceans, other seabirds, and even their own chicks and eggs. They will consume scraps scavenged from Giant Petrel kills, and will frequently raid penguin colonies. They are also known to feed on terrestrial invertebrates such as: earthworms, moth larvae and intertidal shellfish such as limpets.

These gulls nest on beaches, among rocks, grassy headlands, ledges, glacial moraines and offshore islets depending upon the location and suitability for feeding and breeding. Like most southern seabirds, Kelp gulls breed in the summer months; November to December in the subantarctic. They will produce up to three (though usually only two) mottled eggs in an open nest lined with grass, seaweed, sticks, shells or various debris. Eggs generally hatch in 23 to 30 days. Fledging occurs in 45 to 60 days, although chicks are still fed by their parents until after they can fly. Most Kelp gulls ultimately return to colonies where they were born.

No conservation problems are known to exist for this species at the present time. In fact, recent populations of Kelp gulls have increased in some locations perhaps due to human subsidies: trawler fish discards, scraps from fish processing plants, and coastal rubbish piles.

Waterbirds


The International Journal of Waterbird Biology

The Waterbird Society has published results of scientific research for over two decades beginning with a proceedings of papers presented at the annual meetings from 1978 to 1980 followed in 1981 by a refereed, international journal, formerly called Colonial Waterbirds. In 1999, the journal became Waterbirds to reflect the society’s expanded focus on all aquatic birds and their habitats. The journal is produced by an editor and an international panel of associate editors and is open to submitted papers concerning the biology, conservation, and techniques of study of the world’s waterbirds including seabirds, wading birds, shorebirds, and waterfowl.

The Ant Hill

An ant hill, in its simplest form, is a pile of earth, sand, pine needles, or clay or a composite of these and other materials that build up at the entrances of the subterranean dwellings of ant colonies as they are develpoed.

A colony is built and maintained by legions of worker ants, who carry tiny bits of dirt and vegetation in their mandibles and deposit them near the exit of the colony. Ants normally deposit the dirt or vegetation at the top of the hill to prevent it from sliding back into the colony.

However, in some species they actively sculpt the materials into specific shapes and may create nest chambers within the mound.


An ant colony is an underground lair where ants live. Colonies consist of a series of underground chambers, connected to each other and the surface of the earth by small tunnels.

There are rooms for nurseries, food storage, and mating.

Ants and Humans

Ants are useful for clearing out insect pests and aerating the soil. On the other hand, they can become pests when they invade homes, yards, gardens and fields. Carpenter ants damage wood by hollowing it out for nesting. Nests may be destroyed by tracing the ant trails back to the nest, then pouring boiling water into it to kill the queen.

Ordinary chalk can be used to keep ants at bay; drawing a line or circle around the protected area may prevent them from entering.

In some parts of the world large ants have been used as sutures (stitches) by pressing the wound together and applying ants along it. The ant in defensive attitude seizes the edges in its mandibles and locks in place. The body is then cut off and the mandibles can remain in place for up to three days closing the wound.

Some species, called killer ants, have a tendency to attack much larger animals during foraging or in defending their nests. Human attacks are rare, but the stings and bites can be quite painful and in large enough numbers can be disabling.

Ant Communication


Ant communication is accomplished primarily through chemicals called pheromones. Because most ants spend their time in direct contact with the ground, these chemical messages are more developed than in other Hymenopterans. So for instance, when a forager finds food, she will leave a pheromone trail along the ground on her way home. Home is typically located through the use of remembered landmarks and the position of the sun as detected with compound eyes and also by means of special sky polarization-detecting fibres within the eyes.

Ant Characteristics


There is a great diversity among ants and their behaviours. Ants range in size from 2 to about 25 millimetres (about 0.08 to 1 inch). Their colour may vary, most are red or black, but other colours can also be seen, including some tropical groups with a metallic lustre.

Ant Nests


Ants are clean and tidy insects. Some worker ants are given the job of taking the rubbish from the nest and putting it outside in a special rubbish dump. Each colony of ants has its own smell. In this way, intruders can be recognized immediately. Many ants such as the common Red species have a sting which they use to defend their nest.

Some species of ant are known for attacking and taking over the colonies of others ant species. Others are less expansionist but nonetheless just as aggressive; they attack colonies to steal eggs or larvae, which they either eat or raise as workers. Some ants, such as the Amazon Ants, are incapable of feeding themselves, but must rely on captured worker ants to care for them.

Ants and Aphids


Many ants eat the sweet fluid called 'honeydew' excreted by aphids. Some species keep and protect aphids - sometimes even in their own nests. Ants will transport aphids from plant to plant and take the eggs into their colony for the winter. Ants will also defend aphids from insect predators, such as lady beetles and lacewings, by attacking them in large numbers. Aphids are an ants favourite food!

Ant Behaviour


Ants are one of the most successful groups of insects in the animal kingdom. They are of particular interest because they are a social insect and form highly organized colonies or nests which sometimes consist of millions of individuals. Colonies of invasive ant species will sometimes work together and form super-colonies, spanning a very wide area of land. Ant colonies are sometimes described as superorganisms because they appear to operate as a single entity.

Ants have colonized almost every landmass on Earth. They can constitute up to 15% of the total animal biomass of a tropical rainforest; in the Amazon the combined weight of the ants is said to be four times larger than that of the tetrapods in the same area. It has also been estimated that the combined weight of all ants exceeds the weight of mankind.

Ant

For more than 100 million years, ants have been living on the Earth. They can be found almost anywhere on the planet. As of 2006, there are 11,880 known ant species, most of which reside in hot climates.

Ants are members of the family of social insects which means they live in organised colonies. The family of ants is known as the Formicidae of the order: Hymenoptera (An order of highly specialized insects with complete metamorphosis that include the bees, wasps and ants that often associate in large colonies with complex social organization).

Chiang Mai Walking Street Fair

Sunday Market -
Sunday Market starts around 14:00 and lasts until 22:00, with local craftpersons operating stalls along Rajdumnern Road on the inner-east side of the moat near Tapae Gate. The street is blocked off from traffic so there is plenty of room to walk. Unlike the sellers on Chang Khlan Road, who peddle many fake designer goods, excellent hand made items are displayed and sold. At the 5 temples on this road you can enjoy real Northern Thai food and snacks.
Saturday Market - Wua Lai Road

Saturday Market on Wualai Road (the street that shoots off at an angle just outside the Chiang Mai gate on the south side of the old city) officially starts at 17:00, although the road will be closed to cars from about 14:00 onwards; it's pretty much over by 23:00. It's the old silver working district, and some shops stay open late on this day. Like the better-known Sunday Market, there's lots of food and local crafts.