Tuesday 21 October 2014

WILD BIRD WEDNESDAY - Birds in Malawi

Following on from yesterday’s post when I took you to see a tea and coffee plantation in Malawi, today I am showing you a few birds I saw there, however I only have a few and although there were many little birds around, they either where too far away, in heavy foliage or to quick for me to photograph.  So, firstly I am showing you a bird I saw on my first day’s walk from my daughter home and thanks to Jo from Memorable Meanders I am now able to ID it and was very excited to know that this bird is only found in Malawi.  It is the African Citrl.


 African Citril - Serinus citrinelloides



My second bird was also a challenge to me.  I did know it was a Francolin however I could not find out what species it was on the internet or the 2 African books I have.  Again, Jo came up trumps as she discovered it was a juvenile  Red- necked Francolin.  I am not surprised I could not ID it as I have discovered there are at least 6 different plumage forms in adults, not to mentioned any juveniles!!




Below these are the birds I managed to take photographs of when at the tea plantation. This is a Fish Eagle above.


Yellow White – Eye



Heuglin’s Robin
Jo tells me that this bird has been renamed the White-browed Robin-chat!  She says that this is one of her all-time favourite birds. Ever! It’s call sounds like : “figures-of-eight-“ repeated  several times. The Red-chested Cuckoo parasitizes this Robin-chat’s nest. She has a set of precious photos of a parent WB Robin-chat feeding a young Red-chested Cuckoo. Too ludicrous for words: this smallish bird feeding a heffa-lump of a baby. And it doesn’t know it’s not its offspring so hopefully someday she will show us them.


I think this is a Boubou however I am not sure which 
one but I am hoping Jo may know the correct ID.


Black-eyed Bulbul.  
There were many of these birds but none came close.

I hope you enjoyed this post even though the photographs were not so good however feel free to let me know if any of the ID's are incorrect please. 

Tomorrow I am showing you the fantastic Huntington Lodge at the tea and  coffee plantation where you will be treated like royalty.

I am linking this post with

Thank you for visiting.

Many thanks for all your comments.

33 comments:

  1. Excellent view of the eagle. I like raptors.

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  2. Such a beautiful selection of exotic birds - wonderful to see. I do think the Citril looks a bit like our Siskins though!

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  3. You certainly get some birds in your travelling, the Yellow White – Eye is fantastic.

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  4. what a marvelous variety, and yes that Eagle is out of this world!

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  5. Margaret, lovely variety of birds. I like the Francolin, it remind me of our Grouse seen here. And the Yellow White-eye is a pretty color.. Great birds, congrats on your sightings.. Have a happy day!

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  6. Wonderful birds Margaret - love the eagle :) I really enjoyed your previous post too - it sounds like you had a really lovely holiday.

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  7. Great to use the 'on line ID service' that are fellow bloggers!

    Nice pictures.

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne (who may be having word verification issues!)

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  8. It's always a pleasure to visit your blog. It's amazing there are so many birds, one can never know them all.

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  9. Marvelous looking at these African birds Margaret. Very interesting indeed!

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  10. I can't help you at all. But I enjoyed your great variety today. I don't think I've seen any of those before.

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  11. nice variety of birds you saw!

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  12. Enjoyed seeing these photos, especially the Yellow White - Eye!

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  13. Frankly, I'm amazed you can identify any of the birds you photographed in Malawi! I have enough trouble ID-ing some of the birds that are common to where I have lived a long time!

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  14. The Frankolin looks like a Roadrunner without the long tail! And the Citril looks like some kind of finch, because of the big beak for cracking seeds. i love the soaring Fish Eagle, he looks so much like a Bald Eagle in flight. I think the sun may be shining on him.

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  15. Wonderful selection of birds here. It's hard to beat a big bird of prey and that huge eagle.

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  16. Lovely birds all of them. I love the eagle.

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  17. Great variety of birds! Loved that juvenile, especially the shot with it running away. Glad you were able to id it.

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  18. Oh no Margaret, am I too early for the tea and coffee?! Treat me like royalty and give me a cuppa I'll be back, bird spotter book in hand. In fact scrap that idea, make sure you invite Jo and I'll just bring the TimTams!!!
    I'm enjoying your Malawi birds very much :)
    Wren x

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  19. A wonderful collection of African birds and photos. Francolins are funny birds, they make a really shocking sound like huge angry animal.

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  20. Even their backsides are delightful!

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  21. That very first bird and its colors reminds me of lemon/lime!!

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  22. Great to see and photograph so many new birds but I am sure that IDing them all would be quite a challenge - especially one like that Francolin with all the plumage changes. Great photos.

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  23. Beautiful birds once again, Margaret. Thanks for your kind comments. I'm not always successful in ID'ing myself then I call in Grant's help. Sometimes we ask the birding fraternity in Dar Es Salaam. So exciting to share East African birds with you. I also love the Francolin's many phases - as you captured it running away as they're apt to do. Have a wonderful day. Jo

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  24. I love seeing all the different birds. They are all beautiful birds and I especially love the shot of the eagle!

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  25. So interesting to see birds from another country that I will get to photograph!

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  26. Very delightful to see the Red- necked Francolin images, all new to me too. They sort of resemble a Roadrunner ;)

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  27. What a wonderful birding adventure you are having in Malawi!

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  28. lol, not the best of birding days I guess. :) But even their backs look good.

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  29. Some excellent birds there. That Eagle looks huge.

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