Photo Details: Close-up of a Yellowbilled Hornbill (Tockus flavirostris) in profile, showing the quite spectacular yellow bill, Kruger National Park, South Africa. See previous post for comparison picture of the Redbilled Hornbill (Tockus erythrorhynchus).

Camera: Canon EOS 400D (Digital Rebel XTi); Lens: Canon 70-200 F2.8L IS USM; Focal Length: 200mm; Shutter speed: 1/4000; Aperture: f2.8; ISO: 400.

Photo Details: Redbilled Hornbill (Tockus erythrorhynchus) with both Redbilled and Yellowbilled (Tockus flavirostris) specimens in the background, Kruger National Park, South Africa.

Camera: Canon EOS 400D (Digital Rebel XTi); Lens: Canon 70-200 F2.8L IS USM; Focal Length: 200mm; Shutter speed: 1/4000; Aperture: f2.8; ISO: 400.

Additional Info: Both hornbills are common in the Kruger National Park and dry bushveld areas of southern Africa and will often be seen gliding effortlessly from one perch to the next. Local safari guides like to point them out to international guests, describing them as the “flying banana” and the “flying chilli pepper” respectively.

Photo Details: A pair of African Hawk Eagles (Hieraaetus fasciatus) watch for potential prey from their perch on the upper branches of a dead tree, Mashatu Game Reserve, Botswana.

Camera: Canon EOS 450D (Canon Rebel XSi 12.2MP); Lens: Canon EF 600L F4 USM + 1.4x converter; Focal Length: 840mm; Shutter speed: 1/640; Aperture: f8; ISO: 200.

Additional Info: These handsome raptors, usually seen in pairs, occur in well-developed woodland where there are large trees where they can perch and watch for prey before swooping down. Males are usually less heavily spotted, which suggests that in the above picture, the female is on the left with her male partner on the right.

Although not a large raptor, the African Hawk Eagle is a versatile hunter known for taking large prey in relation to its size. It has been described as “an extremely bold and dashing bird” that hunts after the manner of a Sparrow Hawk, “dashing among trees and surprising its prey, often pursuing and killing it on the ground”. It will also hover at times and can soar to considerable heights. (Ref: Roberts Birds of South Africa, 4th ed).

Photo Details: A pair of whitefronted bee-eaters (Merops bullockoides) perched on a twig in a dry riverbed, Mashatu Game Reserve, Tuli Block, Botswana.

Camera: Canon EOS 450D (Canon Rebel XSi 12.2MP); Lens: Canon EF300mm F4 IS USM plus 1.4 converter; Focal Length: 420mm; Shutter speed: 1/400; Aperture: f8; ISO: 200. Date: 29 May 2009, 9.14am

Additional Info: See also previous blog posts for pictures of the Little Bee-eater (Merops pusillus) and Carmine Bee-eater (Merops nubicoides).

Photo Details: Close-up of Lanner Falcon (Falco biarmicus) with its head in profile, African Bird of Prey Sanctuary, Ashburton, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Camera: Canon EOS 450D Digital; Lens: Canon EF70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM; Focal Length: 300mm; Shutter speed: 1/800; Aperture: f8; ISO: 400.

Additional Info: The Lanner falcon is widespread in southern Africa, found mainly in wooded areas of the African bushveld. Standing about 48cm (19″) tall and weighing around 700gm (1lb 8oz), it has a brown head, brown eyes, grey bill, while the throat and chest are pale, ranging from creamy white to buff.

The Lanner feeds on smaller birds and insects such as butterflies, locusts, and bees. It is deadly in the air and will attack smaller birds in flight, using its claws to the break the victim’s neck.

Lanner falcons are monogamous, living and breeding with one partner for life. They nest high within the forest canopy, where the female lays from one to five eggs.

Photo Details: Close-up of Spotted Eagle-Owl (Bubo africanus) showing the distinctive ear tufts, and (below) the same bird perched on a tree stump, illustrating how its colors blend with those of the lichen-encrusted branches, African Bird of Prey Sanctuary, Ashburton, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Camera: Canon EOS 400D Digital; Lens: Canon EF80-200mm f/2.8; Focal Length: 200mm; Shutter speed: 1/2000; Aperture: f4; ISO: 200.

Additional Info: The spotted eagle-owl, with a height of 45cm (18″) and weight of 480g to 850g (1 to 1.8lb), is one of the smaller eagle owls. It has a 33cm (13″) wingspan. The facial disk is off-white to pale ochre. Eyes are yellow and the bill is black. It has prominent ear tufts, and the upper body is a dusky brown color. Spotted eagle-owls are monogamous, so breed with one partner for life.

They are resident in most southern African forests, although they are also found in urban areas in parks and wooded areas. Spotted eagle-owls are nocturnal hunters, spending the day concealed in trees, rock ledges or abandoned burrows. They attack their prey aerially and their diet includes small mammals such as rabbits, field mice and other rodents.