beak Archives - Page 3 of 22

Noble

The ostrich is a member of a group of birds known as Ratites. They are flightless birds without a keel to their breastbone. They are very fast runners and can maintain an average speed of 50 km/h. Of the 8,600 bird species which exist today, the ostrich is the largest. They weigh 100-135 kg and can cause serious injury and death with a kick from its powerful legs. The ostrich has a long, curving, predominantly white neck and very large eyes (50 mm). The beak is flat and broad with a rounded tip. They have long, bare legs and stand tall at an average height of about 2.1 m. The humped body of the male is covered in black patches and the wings and tail are tipped with white. The female is brown and white.
Info source: http://southafrica.co.za/ostrich.html
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The photo was taken during September 2018 at Rietvlei Nature Reserve, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa.

26 September 2019Picture of the day, Wildlife

Friends

The Egyptian Goose is related to the shelduck and is a cross between a duck and a goose. A shelduck is defined as being semi-terrestrial, and they are found in areas that have an abundant water supply as well as dry, safe places in which to feed, breed and nest. The Egyptian goose has vivid markings that are striking and impressive. In fact, they were considered to be holy by the Egyptians, who often included them in works of art due to their undeniable beauty. This bird is pale brown and grey, with rich brown or chestnut markings around the eyes, around the neck (resembling a collar), on a portion of the wings, and under the otherwise black tail. In stark contrast, there are crisp white markings on the wings, complemented by an intense emerald on the secondary feathers of the males. There is also a well-defined brown patch right in the centre of the chest.
Info source: https://www.sa-venues.com/wildlife/birds_egyptian_goose.php
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The photo was taken during October 2018 at Drakensberg Sun Resort, Winterton, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

11 September 2019Picture of the day, Wildlife

Intense

The Cape Glossy Starling is a bird about the same size as a starling. The height of the Cape Glossy Starling is about 25 cms and its weight is about 90 gms. The male and female Cape Glossy Starling have the same plumage and colours
* Head is blue.
* Eye is orange.
* Bill is black.
* Throat is blue.
* Back is blue.
* Legs are black.
This bird has normally proportioned leg length. The Cape Glossy Starling is monogamous unless its mate dies. In the event of a partner dying, it will seek out a new mate. The nesting habit of Cape Glossy Starling is to create the nest in a hole in a tree trunk. The bird lays eggs which are blue in colour and number between 2 to 6.
Info source: http://www.thekruger.com/knpbirds/lamprotornisnitens.htm
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The photo was taken during September 2017 at Afsaal Picnic Spot, Kruger National Park, Mpumalanga, South Africa.

3 September 2019Picture of the day, Wildlife