African Bird Identification

Africa has a diverse landscape where various bird species can thrive.

In addition to being the world's second largest continent, Africa is also home to the Sahara, the world's largest desert, and the Nile, the world's longest river. The rest of the terrain is an environmental hodgepodge of tropical forests, subarctic summits, lush rain forests and grassy plains. These contrasts are what make Africa able to support approximately 2,300 species of birds.

Lesser Flamingo

Lesser Flamingos live near lagoons in southeast Africa.

The Lesser Flamingo is concentrated in Southeast Africa near salty lagoons. Distinguished by pale, blush-colored feathers, Lesser Flamingos are social creatures that travel in groups. Though outgoing and gregarious, they are monogamous; both parents take turns incubating their single egg. The Lesser Flamingo uses its dark red bill to dine on crustaceans and algae. They dunk their heads in the water, shake them side-to-side, collect food and then use their tongues to siphon the food from the water.

African Penguins

Oil spills have contributed to the plight of the African penguin.

Because African Penguins make braying sounds, they are nicknamed "Jackass penguins." Like other penguins, they have tuxedo-colors, with black wings, back and cheeks and white bellies. They also have black lines across the chest. Indigenous to South Africa, the African Penguin is endangered. Humans hunted the penguin during the 17th and 18th centurirs for food and oil. In recent years, African Penguins have become endangered due to oil spills and the fact that environmental dangers have depleted their natural cache of food, sardines.

African Lovebird

Lovebirds often cozy up to one another in a heart-shaped posture.

African Lovebirds are small parrots with lemon-yellow bodies, kiwi-green feathers, large eyes and curved, orange-colored beaks. Their name stems from the fact that the mating couples are often found leaning against each other making a heart-shaped symbol. Naturally noisy, they chatter when they feel happy. Despite their sanguine, loving nature, they do not do well in large colonies as their jealousy is easily roused.

Superb Starling

Superb Starlings have rainbow-blue feathers.

Extremely common in Kenya, the Superb Starling has an iridescent purple-blue breast, shiny turquoise wings and bronze-colored feathers on the belly. Approximately 7 inches in length, the bird is known for making shrill screeching sounds. They do not shy away from human populations and can be found in woodlands and scrublands near occupied territory. Their diet consists of fruit, grain, nuts and insects.

Grey Crowned Crane

Grey Crowned Cranes sport mohawks of sharp yellow feathers.

The Grey Crowned Crane has a Mohawk-style arrangement of yellow feathers atop its head. The wings on its gray body are white, gold and amber while its throat is muddy-red. The long-legged creatures live in both grasslands and wetlands but restrict nesting to wetland areas. When engaging in courtship, they dance around their potential mate, prancing, looping and frolicking to impress the other crane. Observers also say the cranes dance to relax.

African Pygmy Kingfisher

African Pygmy Kingfishers make "tsip-tsip" sounds when in flight.

The African Pygmy Kingfisher is a jewel-colored plump and petite bird that lives in African savannas and coastal areas. It uses its long, orange beak to nip up insects and worms and to make a "tsip-tsip" sound while in flight. The bird's feathers are peach and apricot orange, with flecks of violet on its head. The African Pygmy Kingfisher doesn't grow any longer than 13 centimeters.

References

• African Birdlife
• Lesser Flamingo
• African Lovebird
• African Pygmy Kingfisher
• Superb Starling