Tuesday, January 8, 2019

Birds of Masai Mara - Woods Scrub and Garden Part 1

Generally, Masai Mara is the place to look for big cats & big mammals. Well, just pay a little attention, is a good birding place too. Do read about my previous posts on Birds of Prey, Birds of Lake and Marsh and Birds of Grassland & Open Area of Masai Mara.
Greater blue-eared (Lamprotornis chalybaeus)
I noticed that most of the birds here are either bluish or purple in colour such as this Greater blue-eared.
Rüppell's starling (Lamprotornis purpuroptera)
 Another birds in purple colour, Rüppell's starling.
Violet-backed starling (Cinnyricinclus leucogaster)
 A mix flock of male and female Violet-backed starling.
Bearded woodpecker (Chloropicus namaquus)
 Finally get to see my first woodpecker from Africa - Bearded woodpecker
White-headed barbet (Lybius leucocephalus)
 I have lots of 1st. Another 1st barbet of Africa for me - White-headed barbet
Red-billed oxpecker (Buphagus erythrorhynchus)
Oxpecker is always on my list and I am glad to see these Red-billed oxpecker here on the back of hippos.
Yellow-billed oxpecker (Buphagus africanus)
 Very similar to Red-billed Oxpecker, however the red eyes and striking yellow bill made it easy to differentiate Yellow-billed oxpecker from the previous one.
Yellow-billed oxpecker (Buphagus africanus)
 Like other birds, Yellow-billed oxpecker do perch on tree branches too.
Northern fiscal (Lanius humeralis)
A male Northern fiscal (Lanius humeralis) calling loudly to mark his territory.
Northern fiscal (Lanius humeralis)
 The female Northern fiscal looks so different from the male.
Dark-capped bulbul (Pycnonotus tricolor)
Dark-capped bulbul not just looks like our Yellow vented bulbul here in Singapore, they are also abundant in Masai Mara.
White-browed coucal (Centropus superciliosus)
Saw this White-browed coucal on one of the morning about 6+am. As it was still dark have a hard time to tell the species. Luckily this bird is patient enough for us to move closer slowly.
Lilac-breasted roller (Coracias caudatus)
 Lilac-breasted roller with big meal waiting.
Little bee-eater (Merops pusillus)
A very cute Little bee-eater hoping on the road in the morning sun. To be continued...

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