Sometimes we all concentrate on the big things so much that we forget about a whole other kingdom that is out there …
The bird kingdom. In these posts we would like to share Pilanesberg Bird Watching with you.
Lilac-Breasted Roller (Coracias caudatus)
- Rollers get their name from their impressive courtship flight
- Their call is a loud harsh squawk, not what you would expect from such an attractive looking bird.
- The diet of the lilac-breasted roller is primarily insectivorous such as: ground-dwelling insects, arthropods, amphibians, and other small vertebrates.
- Their amazing colouration gives them the title of one of the most photographed birds in South Africa.
African fish eagle (Haliaeetus vocifer)
- African fish eagles are believed to mate for life (monogamous)
- The African fish eagle feeds mainly on fish but will also eat rodents, small birds, and other prey items.
- We often see them around the dams in the Pilanesberg.
Southern red bishop (Euplectes orix)
- An iconic bird to see around the bird hides during summer.
- The males have this vibrant red and black plumage during the breeding season to attract females. The rest of the year they will be dull brown like the females.
- The nest is most commonly built among reeds and is woven out of grasses and other plant materials.