Tuesday 22 March 2016

WILD BIRD WEDNESDAY - Double-banded Sandgrouse

These are Double - banded Sandgrouse that we saw in Kruger National Park and further down in the photographs 
you will see how camouflaged they are in one shot before the last.  
Also when you see 2 together, one is a male and a female. 


25–26 cm; 200–270 g 




A small, short-tailed sandgrouse. Male has a diagnostic head pattern, black and white breast bands and barred lower breast and belly. Female and juv. rather uniformly barred; differ from female and juv. Namaqua Sandgrouse by darker, streaked crown, barred (not streaked) lower breast, short, rounded (not pointed) tail and obvious ring of bare, yellow skin around eye.



Voice:
 A whistling ‘chwee-cheechee' and a soft ‘wee-chee-choo-chip-chip' flight call.




Fairly common resident and nomad in woodland (especially mopane), savanna, and locally in arid Karoo grassland.





Drinks at dusk, and often after dark.



I am linking this post with WILD BIRD WEDNESDAY.


Many thanks for visiting and also for leaving any comments.

23 comments:

  1. Hi Margaret, congratulations on spotting these grouse. And thanks for sharing. I love these interestingly marked and secretive birds and am always thrilled when I can capture one on camera. Have a great day. Jo

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  2. Oh my goodness. Almost perfect camouflague.

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  3. Fotografias fantásticas.
    Um abraço e continuação de uma boa semana.
    http://andarilharar.blogspot.pt/

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  4. Great pics, what a teeny neck that one has! I just couldn't get over it!

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  5. I am amazed at the small details in the feathers.God has made sure that each creature has a beauty all its own.

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  6. Beautiful wild birds.
    Margaret, I love your blog. Many of you learning.
    Greetings.

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  7. Any of the birds in the Grouse family are all just wonderful. Well done Margaret. Happy Easter~

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  8. Those head markings are fantastic. You must have had such a brilliant trip seeing all this amazing wildlife.

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  9. OMG!!!! I want to see those birds. Great shots Margaret!!!

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  10. They have the most amazing markings don't they!

    All the best Jan

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  11. fantastic pictures from these lovely birds. Very well.

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  12. You got some great shots. Nothing to grouse about!

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  13. So pretty birds with amazing feathers...I love these patterns seen and captured so well in pictures from up close!! So cute the way you have said: "the soft ‘wee-chee-choo-chip-chip' flight call"....
    Greetings!

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  14. I enjoyed learning about the Banded Sandgrouse, such a pretty bird. Great photos too Margaret.

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  15. Excellent photos of the sandgrouse!

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  16. The sandgrouse really does have good camouflage. Your photos are wonderful!

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  17. Interesting information and wonderful photos of these birds! Have a wonderful Wednesday, Margaret!

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  18. Gorgeous bird and photos - wonderful camouflage. Hope you are enjoying the Isle of Wight :)

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  19. layer upon layer. Such a strange coloring of the plumage. So beautiful. Thanks for sharing this beautiful species :)

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  20. Fabulous photos of these pretty birds!

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