#BirdingTours

[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!

[avocetandperegrine]

Read more: https://birding.avocet-peregrine.com/guide-books/

[rachaelsanders663]

"Have you ever been mesmerized by the graceful elegance of a pheasant as it moves through the fields, its vibrant colors painting a picture of pure natural beauty?"

[buyela-e-africa]

European roller (Coracias garrulus).

Top speed : 48 km/h

The European roller is the only member of the roller family to breed in Europe. Its overall range extends into the Middle East, central Asia and Morocco, they migrate vast distances between continents, from their breeding grounds they fly over 10 000 kilometers to their wintering grounds in Sub-Sahara Africa.

[taliesinian]

First new regret landed in 2023 #birdnerd #birds_adored #bird_perfection⁠ #birdsandblooms #sassy_birds #birds_captures #audubon #total_birds #audubonsociety #birdnerds⁠ #connecticutartist #natgeobirds #1birdshot #naturyst #nuts_about_nature #newenglandoutdoorsthere #birding #birdingtours #birdphotography #birdbrilliance #birdsofinstagram #bns_birds #bestbirdshots #rawbirds @connecticut_community @connecticut_fams (at Stamford, Connecticut) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqVRBtKOWAN/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[bbjuliotours]

Ecuador Hummingbird Tours 18 days

February 2024 all month available

#travel#birdingtours#birdsofinstagramButterfly and Bird Julio Tours

[kubwafivesafaris]

A photo by @alexlebird #birdfreaks #birdcaptures #birdingphotography #birds #birding #birdphoto #birdlovers #birdphotography #birdtours #birdplanet #bird #birdingtours #birds_adored #bird_brilliance https://www.instagram.com/p/CT6b28rg5ik/?utm_medium=tumblr

[sunnfuntourscharters-blog]

Sunset Tours

The Florida sunset is an unbeatable view that anyone can enjoy. See this beautiful sight by taking a tour with Sun-N-Fun Tours & Charters. The trip leaves the dock about an hour and a half before the sunset. As we travel through Estero Bay, Florida's beautiful wildlife is commonly seen, from dolphins to turtles. Contact Sun-N-Fun Tours & Charters today to learn more about our sunset tours!

https://fortmyersbeachdolphintours.com/sunset_tours

[indianbirdz]

|| Spotted Forktail || . . . #spottedforktail #spotted_forktail #forktails #flycatchersofinstagram #indianbirdz #wildnout #amazing_shots #portraitphotography #birds #birdingtours #birds_perfection #birds_of_ig #birds_private #birdingdaily #birds_nature #birds_matter #birdsofinstagram #birding #instagood #instalike #instabird #my_best_birds #mytravelgram #mypixeldiary #nuts_about_birds #sultan_birds #ip_birds #igbest_birds #igdaily #ig_shotz https://www.instagram.com/p/BwektBABcev/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=bpocgvl84o1r

[santhosh2k]

One of my favourite from last year #birds #birdsphotography #birdsofinstagram #birdwatching #birdlovers #birdfreaks #birdingphotography #bird_photography_offical #birds_captures #birds_4you #birds_nature #birding_lounge #birdingdaily #birdingtours #ig_birdwatchers #ig_birds #ig_birdlovers #ig_bird https://www.instagram.com/p/Cav-rzIMs2s/?utm_medium=tumblr

[simplyoffbeattravel]

Want to attend 2 nights 3 days bird photography workshop with 15 hours of on-field photography at an offbeat place in Maharashtra? . .. ... .. . If yes, head to Bhigwan, around 250 kilometres from Mumbai, and only 100 kilometres from Pune. 2 nights 3 days tour itinerary: Day 1 - Reach Bhigwan homestay (on own) at 11 am Settle down, breakfast, finish lunch by 2 pm Photography workshop 2:30 - 3:30 pm Boat trip 4 pm - 6:30 pm Photo review session Dinner and overnight in a homestay Day 2 - Boat trip 6:30 am - 9:30 am Breakfast Photo review session and workshop Lunch Boat trip 4 pm - 6:30 pm Photo review session Dinner and overnight in a homestay Day 3 - Boat trip 6:30 am - 9:30 am Breakfast Photo review session and workshop Lunch Proceed with the return journey Inclusions: Accommodation on twin sharing basis All meals: breakfast, lunch, evening snacks, dinner, and tea/coffee. 4 bottles of mineral water. 4 boat rides (maximum 3 people + 1 instructor) per boat and photography lessons. Exclusions: Travel to Bhigwan and back Night safari (participants can go on night safaris at additional cost) Jungle safaris Please note: Consumption of alcohol is not allowed in the village. Contact @simplyoffbeat today for an Early Bird Discounted offer. #birdwatchingtours #birdingtrip #birders #birdingtours #indianbirdsphotography #bhigwan #simplyoffbeat #photographytours #travelmaharashtra #offbeattravel #photographytrip #bhigwanbirdsanctaury (at Bhigwan Bird Sanctuary) https://www.instagram.com/p/CM7FmDmjthw/?igshid=gb7rhkinemlm

[avocetandperegrine]

We have an unflinching respect and concern for the birds and other wildlife. Check our list of do's and dont's when it comes to engaging wildlife: https://birding.avocet-peregrine.com/ethics-tips/.

https://birding.avocet-peregrine.com/ethics-tips/.

[buyela-e-africa]

Magpie shrike (Urolestes melanoleucus)

Native to the grasslands of eastern and southeastern Africa, where its natural habitats are dry savannah, moist savannah, and subtropical or tropical dry shrubland.

[taliesinian]

Extra froth please #birdnerd #birds_adored #bird_perfection⁠ #birdsandblooms #sassy_birds #birds_captures #audubon #total_birds #audubonsociety #birdnerds⁠ #connecticutartist #natgeobirds #1birdshot #naturyst #nuts_about_nature #newenglandoutdoorsthere #birding #birdingtours #birdphotography #birdbrilliance #birdsofinstagram #bns_birds #bestbirdshots #rawbirds @connecticut_community @connecticut_fams (at Stamford, Connecticut) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqB8cmGLZpO/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[corbettthebaagh]

Monsoon has its own favorites... With us, the Brown Capped Pygmy Woodpecker is in focus! The smallest woodpecker is in town!! #monsoonmania #BirdingTours #birding #birdphotography #birdfreaks #birds_captures #corbettthebaagh #jungleresort #corbett https://www.instagram.com/p/CEVsfrGne0_/?igshid=12dcqqqbszxdr

[kubwafivesafaris]

A photo by @caperelux #birdwatching #birdfreaks #bird #birdphotography #bird #birding #birdingtours #birdlovers #birds #birdcaptures #birdingphotography #birds_adored #birdplanet #birds_nature #birdphoto https://www.instagram.com/p/CT6aoPuAEre/?utm_medium=tumblr