Saturday 13 February 2016

SATURDAY CRITTERS - Birds from South Africa

As I walked around the gated area where my friends live in Johannesburg, South Africa, these were two of the birds I photographed. 
The Fiscal Flycatcher and Thick billed Weaver.(video at end of post)


Fiscal Flycatcher

18–20 cm


A striking, pied flycatcher with white panels in otherwise black wings and tail. Resembles Common Fiscal in broad colour pattern, but bill more slender, tail shorter, legs longer, white in wings confined to secondaries (not wing coverts) and white windows in the tail; lacks white outer-tail feathers. Larger and longer-tailed than Collared Flycatcher and nape black (not white). 


Female is browner above and washed darker grey on breast and belly. 
Juv. is much browner above, with buff spots; underparts mottled grey-brown. 


Voice: A string of high-pitched, weedy notes, sometimes extended by mimicking calls of other birds; ‘tssisk' alarm call. 


Common resident in south and east of range, a non-br. winter visitor (Mar–Sep) in north of range. 
Found in woodland and thickets, scrub, gardens and plantations.


Thick-billed Weaver

18 cm


A large, dark brown weaver with a massive bill and large head; 
appears long-tailed in flight. 
Male warm brown, with a white frons and wing patches; bill blackish. 



Voice: High-pitched, chattering song; high-pitched ‘tweek tweek' or ‘pink pink' flight call.


Female is whitish below, heavily streaked brown, with a paler bill. 


Common resident and local nomad of forest edge and rank vegetation, often near water. Usually breeds in small colonies in neat, finely woven nests with a side entrance attached to reeds; polygynous. 
Roosting nests have larger entrances than breeding nests.


I have a short video where you will be able see the birds better.  CLICK HERE if it does not appear below.  

I am linking this post  SATURDAY CRITTERS.



Many thanks for visiting and also to all those who leave comments.

17 comments:

  1. Beautiful things. There are some truly lovely birds world wide.

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  2. An interesting post with some great photos.

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  3. Hello Margaret, I love the video. All the birds are so pretty, I especially love the thick-billed weaver. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Have a happy weekend!

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  4. Love seeing birds far away,thanks for sharing what they sound & look like,have a great weekend,phyllis

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  5. Fun photos, (I like that sign) happy weekend to you!

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  6. Colourful birds Margaret. A typical Flycatcher.

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  7. New birds to see and great video!

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  8. Great birds. That black bird is sharp looking!

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  9. That flycatcher is really stunning! Great photos and info! The video of the weavers was just lovely...loved when one flew off and the others all looked. Sweet voices. Great info there too. Thanks for an awesome post!

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  10. Beautiful birds, they look very cute.

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  11. This Flycatcher is quite a striking looking bird.

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  12. A great selection. I do love the Flycatcher!

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  13. Two very interesting birds that I have not seen before. Lovely captures

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  14. It is always interesting to see birds from other places.

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  15. The flycatcher is a very handsome bird!

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  16. Love to read it,Waiting For More new Update and I Already Read your Recent Post its Great Thanks. Avenue South Residence UOL

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