#BirdSafari

[visitafrica-today]

Africa’s Most Bizarrely Named Birds: A Quirky Guide to Feathered Wonders!

Africa’s birdlife is legendary, but some species stand out—if not for their looks, then for their bizarre names! Ready for an avian adventure? Let’s uncover these quirky characters. 🧵

First up, The Drunken Parrot! - In southern Africa, parrots are infamous for feasting on marula fruit that ferments on the ground. The result? Birds stumbling and squawking like they’ve had one too many! Nature’s comedy at its finest.

The Satanic Nightjar—Its name is as dramatic as its nocturnal habits. This elusive, cryptically feathered bird got its eerie name from its ghostly presence in the night and mysterious calls. Don’t worry—it’s harmless!

The Bare-faced Go-away Bird! - This bird’s name seems like an instruction to leave! The “bare-faced” part is from its featherless patch around the eyes and its unique call that sounds like “go away,” often heard in East Africa’s savannahs mainly in South Africa, Tanzania, Kenya, Namibia, Malawi, Angola, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Botswana.

Africa’s Shoebill Stork looks straight out of Jurassic Park. Its name comes from its enormous, shoe-shaped bill. Found in East African swamps, especially in Uganda's Mabamba Swamp. This bird is a must-see for birders!

The Secretary Bird—nothing to do with offices! Its name comes from its quill-like crest that resembles pens tucked behind a secretary’s ear. Plus, it’s a snake-hunting specialist!

Meet the Helmeted Guineafowl—its bony, helmet-like crest makes it look like a soldier of the savannah. This bird is as tough as its name suggests.

Hammerkop—literally translates to “hammerhead” in Afrikaans. Its unique head shape resembles a hammer. These birds build enormous nests—so big they can support a human’s weight!

Consider the Spotted Thick-knee! This nocturnal bird got its name from its large, thick knees (which are actually the bird’s ankle joints!). It’s a ground-dwelling marvel of the savannah.

The Speckled Mousebird—Imagine a bird that looks like a mouse! These small, fluffy birds often climb branches in a rodent-like way, making their name oddly appropriate.

Meet the Red-billed Firefinch! A fiery burst of red in the wild, this bird’s vivid plumage lives up to its blazing name. It’s small, charming, and unmistakably eye-catching.

Imagine a bird skimming across the Nile, its lower beak scooping fish from the water. The African Skimmer is a master of its craft.

Lastly, The African Pygmy Goose! Don’t let the name fool you—it’s a duck, not a goose! This pint-sized beauty loves floating among lily pads.

Nature’s quirks never end! Did we miss a bizarrely named African bird that you love? Let us know in the comments below!

[buyela-e-africa]

Bateleur (Terathopius ecaudatus)

The most famous of the snake eagles, Bateleur is French for "tightrope-walker" probably due to its distinctive aerial acrobatics.

Bateleurs spend between 8 and 9 hours a day in the air looking for food - their diet includes snakes, birds, lizards, antelope, mice, carrion and especially roadkill.

[wwolfrider]

This little Soft Supreme was hanging out in the workshop. Strange place to wait for lunch. #owlsofinstagram #babyowl #owl #owls #birding #birdsofinstagram #twitcher #birds #birdsafari #safari (at Viphya Forest) https://www.instagram.com/p/CLXA6bzhMic/?igshid=pabudaxy8qbt

[packitangsafaris]

#safaribird #tanzania🇹🇿 #tanzaniatrip #birding #birdsafari #tanzaniaunforgetable #joinsafaris #campingsafari #budgetsafari #travel #traveltanzania Enjoy and make a memorable experience by traveling to Africa - Tanzania via :- www.packitangsafaris.com https://www.instagram.com/p/B8o9MTAHA9o/?igshid=1e5srm3m9mtc7

[dillardugandatours-blog]

Shoe bill sighting in Murchison Falls National Park. Also known as whalehead, whale-headed stork, or shoe-billed stork, is a very large stork-like bird. Book a trip with us now... Simply write to us; info@dillardtours.com to hear about our exciting great safari tour deals. www.dillardtours.com #safariuganda #ugandasafari #destinationuganda #wildlifetours #touruganda #ugandatourism #toursimdestinatio #birdsofprey #birdsafari #birders #birds #birdsofinstagram #africa #ugandawildlife #wildlifetours #natural #naturephotography #nature_perfection #naturelove #wildlife_inspired #blogphotography #photooftheday #photo #photographylovers #photography #naturephotography (at Uganda) https://www.instagram.com/p/B5TNO_kH9dA/?igshid=f12wqcuog3k9

[lifenkids-blog1]

Loved feeding this little fellow at the bird area in Safari park. #safari #birdsafari #peacock #peacocks #birdphotography #animalphotohraphy #feedingbirds #nature #natureactivities #nurture #childrenactivities #summercamps https://www.instagram.com/p/B04En56FUe_/?igshid=1rdcikzmsfwpw

[kilimanjarobrothers]

#Kilimanjaro Brothers #ClimbingAdventure offer #birdwatching #tours With our experienced #tour guides,you will encounter amazing #wildlife, beautiful scenery, landscapes and many more http://kilimanjarobrothers.com/ #birdsafari #Tanzaniasafai #KilimanjaroClimb

[poachersphotocottage]

Out and about with my Nikon Sigma lens Egyptian Vulture #sharemysigma #wildlifephotography #naturephotography #birdsofinstagram #vulturesofinstagram #egyptianvultures #birdwatchingphotography #birdwatchingmagzine #summerweather #weatherphotography #weather #cloudsofinstagram #birdsfeathers #wildlife-photos #wildlifephotosafari #bulgaria #wildlifebulgaria #birdsafaris #birdsafari

[thournatureresorts]

experience the best wildlife safari in Rajasthan with leopards, crocodiles and exotic birds. Thour is committed to make your visit to Jawai memorable.

Read Blog : https://bit.ly/2kbsPxy 

[kruger2kalahari]

Black headed Oriole photographed in Skukuza camp. #NaturePhotography #WildlifePhotography #PhotoSafari #Kruger2Kalahari #AfriTravel #nikonwildlife #knp #KrugerPark #ebook #krugernationalpark #greaterkruger #kruger #krugerexplorer #krugersafari #krugerparksafari #krugerthroughmyeyes #intothewild #krugerselfdrive #travelphotographer #selfdrivesafari #birdsafari #photographersguide #safariphotography #birdsofkruger #birdlife #birdlifesa #blackheadedoriole #skukuzacamp #sofasafari (at Skukuza Camp) https://www.instagram.com/p/CEJwt7QA7xs/?igshid=olwocvda6qh3

[safarihike]

Glanzhaubenturako *** purple crested turaco *** ligwalagwala 🇸🇿 der Nationalvogel von Eswatini . Nicht nur wunderschön zum Ansehen, sondern auch leicht am Ruf zu erkennen #glanzhaubenturako #ligwalagwala #igwalagwala #purplecrestedturaco #turaco #turako #birding #birdwatching #eswatini #swaziland #swasiland #mantenga #mantenganaturereserve #safarihike #sanibonani.de #mypinkbumper #vögel #Vogel #bird #birdphotography #birds #birdsofinstagram #worldofwanderlust #safari #birdsafari #safarionfoot #walkingsafari #walkingsafarieswatini #lourie #crestedturaco (hier: Mantenga Nature Reserve and Cultural Village) https://www.instagram.com/p/CCRC0-KHf56/?igshid=16rg804rfogl6

[rumarasafaris-blog]

Uganda is an ideal destination for #birdwatchingsafaris in Africa.This pearl of Africa is home for almost half of all bird species in the African continent.A bird watching safari to Uganda should really not miss on your 2019 bucket list if you are a birder.#birdsafari,#birdinginugandainfo@rumarasafaris.com

[buyela-e-africa]

In order to see birds it is necessary to become part of the silence. Always a great time doing a Birding Safari🐦 ° ° ° ° ° ° #birdingphotography #birdstagram #birdsofinsta #africasafari #birdsafari #wanderlust #summer #bushliving #southafricantourism #southafrica🇿🇦 #travelphotography #travelguide #luxury #luxurytravel #africaawaitsyouin2020 #safari #safariphotography #buyelaeafrica #nature #pilanesberg #fgasa (at Pilanesberg National Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/B8MeiuTgO04/?igshid=172ze8tak8r84

[wwolfrider]

It took me ages to identify these two! So distinctive and beautiful, yet a #bird I hadn’t seen before. Not exactly rare, but I didn’t have my book handy! #lesserstripedswallow #twitcherinthemaking #birding #birdsofinstagram #swallow #nicehair #birds #birdwatching #africanbirds #birdphotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography #birdsafari #safariholiday #safari (at Zambia) https://www.instagram.com/p/CE6Occ5hS1M/?igshid=q76q98y6gtte

[packitangsafaris]

#environment #africansafari #safaris #bestnatunalparkintz #2019 #traveltanzania #destination #safaris #escapment #riftvalley #traveltanzania #daytrips #destinflorida #holidaysafari #birdsafari #africansafaridestination #5daysafari #journey #journal #safarimanyara #dreamsafari #exploretanzania #exploreafrica #explore Enjoy your best safari with:- https://www.packitangsafaris.com/index.php (at Lake Manyara) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bxkqo0THHjX/?igshid=c6dv7qx28kpd

[dillardugandatours-blog]

Meet #Rogers Kazoora head of the team that creates exclusive safari tours . Rogers is the Head of Operations at Dillard Tours. His vast expertise is celebrated with the memorable safari experiences he creates for every client through tailoring exciting safari tours to Uganda and Eastern Africa. Write to him now for more info about next Safari tour; info@dillardtours.com www.dillardtours.com #tourism #tourist #safariafrica #safari #tourtheplanet #MemorableSafariExperiences #wildlifesafari #tourlife #adventuresafari #adventure #adventuretime #birdsafari #gorillatrekking #gorillasafari (at Kampala, Uganda) https://www.instagram.com/p/B39W-jjjUqE/?igshid=1uqf4xoe153hu