Barn Owl
Tyto alba (Genus: tyto, Greek = a night owl; species: albinus, Latin = white) Zizi (Shona, generic), Effraie des clocher (French), Coruja-das-torres (Portuguese) Call: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Barn_Owl/sound (Click on the…
Amethyst Sunbird f.k.a. Black Sunbird
Chalcomitra amethystina (scientific name) (Genus: chalcomitra, Greek = copper or bronze headband or cap; species: amethystina, Greek = amethyst coloured) (if you're interested in…
Village Indigobird
Vidua Chalybeata (Genus: vidua, Latin = widow, referring to black plumage used for mourning, or the long tail in some species which is…
Southern Red Bishop
Euplectes orix (Genus: euplectes, Greek = woven, referring to nests; orix, Greek 'oriza' = rice, presumably referring to habit of feeding in rice-fields)Chikenya (Shona), Euplecte ignicolore(French), Cardeal-tecelao-vermelho(Portuguese)…
Long-crested Eagle
Lophaetus occipitalis (Genus: Lophaetus = Greek, a crested eagle; species: occipitalis = Latin, of the back of the head) Kondokondo, pfinye (Shona), Aiglehuppard, (French), Aquia-de-penacho (Portuguese) Call: http://www.xeno-canto.org/268792 I have…
Owls & Chameleons: What do they have in common?
Our planet is teeming with life forms, each busily following its life’s plan. They all require a set of physical conditions…
Levaillant’s Cuckoo a.k.a. Striped Cuckoo
Clamator levaillantii (Genus Clamator = Latin: noisy, referring to the loud chattering noises of the genus; species levaillantii = Latin: after Francois Le Vaillant (1753-1824), French…
European Bee-Eater
Merops apiaster (Genus: Merops, Greek = 'bee-eater'; species: apiaster, Latin = 'bee-eater') Bonganyuchi (Shona: bonga = to pick, nyuchi = bee); other Shona terms: Gamanyuchi, Fukarusheshe, Pfukepfuke Call: http://www.xeno-canto.org/280449 These pretty…
Spotted Eagle Owl
Bubo africanus (Genus: Bubo = Latin: an eagle owl, probably onomatopoeic; species: africanus = Latin: from Africa) Zizi (Shona, generic for owls); Grand-duc africain (French); Bufo-malhado (Portuguese) Call: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jw8tlxj8CMg This…
Black-headed Heron
Ardea melanocephala (Genus Ardea: Latin = a heron; species melanocephala: Greek = black head) Shorechena, nyarupani (Shona); Heron melanocephale (French); Garca-de-cabeca-preta (Portuguese) Call: http://www.xeno-canto.org/200791 Aren't the lines…
