Black-crowned Tchagra (Roberts 7th ed.)
Tchagra senegalus
Roberts No. 745


Photo taken by 'BBE' on Nov. 28, 2008 CAT at WildEarth Game Drive, Djuma, Sabi Sands, SA.

Video: Black-crowned Tchagra ~ 17 sec.

The Black-crowned Tchagra has a height of 23 cms and weighs around 53 gms. The head is coloured black, white while the bill is coloured black. The Tchagra senegalus has a white coloured throat, yellow legs and a brown coloured back. The eyes are brown.(1)

The black forehead and crown and the paler underpants differentiate it from the other tchagras. It is also a larger, bolder bird and is more conspicuous in its behaviour. (2)

References:
(1) http://www.birdsinsa.com/birds/tchagrasenegalus.htm
(2) The Larger Illustrated Guide to Birds of Southern Africa. 2nd ed. (2005) by Ian Sinclair and Phil Hockey.
(3) Photos:

• http://www.biodiversityexplorer.org/bir ... egalus.htm
  
• http://www.oiseaux.net/photos/yvonnik.l ... gra.1.html
  
• http://www.pc-zoo.com/birds/black_crowned_tchagra.htm

Comparison with the Brown-crowned (Three-streaked) Tchagra:

• http://discuss.hancockwildlifechannel.o ... 34#p220234
  
• http://www.biodiversityexplorer.org/bir ... tralis.htm

Brown-crowned Tchagra (Roberts 7th ed.)
Three-streaked Tchagra (Roberts 6th ed.)
Tchagra australis
Roberts No. 743





Video: Brown-crowned Tchagra ~ 1:30 min.

Photos & video clip taken by 'CJ' on Oct. 11, 2008, Djuma, Sabi Sands, SA, WildEarth Game Drive

"The Brown-crowned Tchagra has a height of 17 cms and weighs around 35 gms. The head is coloured brown while the bill is coloured brown. The Tchagra australis has a grey, white coloured throat, yellow legs and a brown coloured back. The eyes are brown."(1)

References:
(1) http://www.birdsinsa.com/birds/tchagraaustralis.htm
(2) Photos: http://www.birdquest.net/afbid/birdspec ... bs_id=2015

Water Thick-Knee (Roberts, 7th ed.)
Water Dikkop (Roberts, 6th ed.)
Burhinus vermiculatus
Roberts No. 298


Picture by 'CJ' at Djuma, Sabi Sands Game Reserve, SA, WildEarth Game Drive of 1/20/08

Video:
Thick-Knee ~ 3:40 min.
Video taken by 'CJ' on 1/18/08 at Djuma, Sabi Sands, SA, WildEarth Game Drive

The Water Thick-knee has a height of 41 cms and weighs around 270 gms. The head is coloured brown while the bill is coloured black. The Burhinus vermiculatus has a white coloured throat, grey legs and a brown coloured back. The eyes are yellow.(1)


References:
(1) http://www.birdsinsa.com/birds/burhinusvermiculatus.htm

Groundscraper Thrush
Psophocichla litsitsirupa
Roberts, 7th ed. No. 580



Video:
Groundscraper Thrush ~ 59 sec.
Photo and video taken by 'CJ' on 8/20/07 at Djuma, Sabi Sands, SA, WildEarth Game Drive

The Groundscraper thrush is a smallish to medium bird. The upperparts are plain grey-brown with a chestnut wing-panel. The underparts are white with black spots and the face is white with bold black markings. The underwing has a black and white pattern which is visible during the undulating flight. The bird has a slow whistled song and a clicking call. (1)

Another photo may be found in reference (2)

References:
(1) Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psophocichla
(2) Photo - http://www.bushveld.co.za/thrush.htm

Southern Black Tit
Parus niger
Roberts No. 554



Southern Black Tit ~ 9 secs.

Photo and video taken by 'CJ' on Jan. 7, 2009, Djuma, Sabi Sands, SA, WildEarth Game Drive.

"The Southern Black Tit has a height of 16 cms and weighs around 21 gms. The head is coloured black while the bill is coloured black. The Parus niger has a black coloured throat, black legs and a black coloured back. The eyes are brown."(1) White wing coverts. Tail tipped and edged in white.

References:
(1) http://www.birdsinsa.com/birds/parusniger.htm4
(2) Photo: http://www.birdforum.net/bird_view.php?bid=775

Hooded Vulture
Necrosyrtes monachus
Roberts 7th ed. No. 121


Picture taken by 'CJ' on 4/5/08 at Djuma, Sabi Sands, SA, WildEarth Game Drive

Video: Hooded Vultures ~ 1:25 min.
Video taken by 'CJ' on 10/20/08 at Djuma, Sabi Sands, SA, WildEarth Game Drive

The Hooded Vulture has a height of 70 cms and weighs around 2100 gms. The head is coloured pink while the bill is coloured black. The Necrosyrtes monachus has a pink coloured throat, green legs and a black, brown coloured back. The eyes are black. (1)

References:
(1) http://www.birdsinsa.com/birds/necrosyrtesmonachus.htm

Lappet-faced Vulture
Aegypius tracheliotus (Roberts 7th ed.)
Torgos tracheliotus (Roberts 6th ed.)
Roberts No. 024




They are the largest in the pictures.
Pictures taken by 'CJ' on 6/18/09 at Djuma, Sabi Sands, SA, WildEarth Game Drive


The Lappet-faced Vulture has a height of 105 cms and weighs around 6500 gms. The head is coloured pink, red while the bill is coloured yellow. The Aegypius tracheliotus has a pink coloured throat, blue, grey legs and a brown coloured back. The eyes are brown.(1)

References:
(1) http://www.birdsinsa.com/birds/aegypiustracheliotus.htm
(2) Photo: http://www.biodiversityexplorer.org/bir ... liotos.htm

White-backed Vulture
Gyps africanus
Roberts No. 123


Picture taken 1/7/09 by 'CJ' at Djuma, Sabi Sands, SA, WildEarth Game Drive

Video . White-backed Vulture with chick ~ 1:20

White-backed Vulture (1 minute, 15 seconds)
Videos taken by 'Skipper' at Djuma, Sabi Sands, SA, WildEarth Game Drive

"The White-backed Vulture has a height of 100 cms and weighs around 5500 gms. The head is coloured grey while the bill is coloured grey, black. The Gyps africanus has a blue, grey coloured throat, grey, black legs and a grey coloured back. The eyes are brown."(1)

Reference:
(1) Birds of Southern Africa: http://www.birdsinsa.com/birds/gypsafricanus.htm