Category: Wildlife

Concentric

The red-knobbed coot is largely black except for the white frontal shield. There are two tiny red knobs at the top of the facial shield, which is not visible at any great distance and are only present in the breeding season. The red-knobbed coot is reluctant to fly and when taking off runs across the water surface with much splashing. The red-knobbed coot is an omnivore and will take a variety of small live prey including the eggs of other water birds. It is an aggressive species and strongly territorial during the breeding season.

Concentric

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Poser

Ibises range in length from about 55 to 75 cm (22 to 30 inches). They occur in all warm regions except on South Pacific islands. They wade in shallow lagoons, lakes, bays, and marshes and use their slender, down-curved bills to feed on small fishes and soft molluscs. They fly with neck and legs extended, alternately flapping and sailing. Ibises usually breed in vast colonies, building compact stick nests low in bushes or trees and laying three to five eggs, usually dull white or mottled with brown.

Poser

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Bleat

The name Klipspringer is the Afrikaans for ‘rock jumper’ and alludes to the animal’s ability in rocky territory where it can be seen moving freely, seemingly on tiptoe. Weighing 11-13 Kg and standing 500-600mm high at the shoulders, this is a small and stocky antelope. Ewes are slightly larger than the rams. Only rams have short horns, which are ringed only at the base. Klipspringers have smallish rounded ears positioned far back on the head, and with noticeable dark inner markings. The coarse-haired coat is variable in colour with shades of grey, yellow, brown or red, with marked white underparts, chin and lips. A prominent feature is the large, black pre-orbital gland.

Bleat

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