Crowned Lapwing

Crowned Lapwing
Kroonkiewiet
Vanellus Coronatus

The Crowned Lapwing occurs in large areas of our Southern Africa and moved into our cities where they have annexed about every park they can find. They love short grassy areas and together with tons of water and food parks and recreational areas provide a perfect home for them. However I am not so sure that everybody is great fans of these rather innocent looking birds for when they are breeding (August - December) they will vehemently defend their eggs and chicks by dive bombing the intruder, being a dog or human being.

This bird was photographed in the Pretoria Botanical Gardens where Crowned Plovers are very common.

When disturbed they will crouch in this unusual manner.

This is an example of a typical nest - a small scrape in the ground with a few pebbles, or in this case, the droppings of a Scrub-hare, lining the nest. Even though the nest is right in the open (see photo below) it is not easy to see.

The circle indicate the location of the nest depicted in the previous photo.

Owl, Barn

Barn Owl

Nonnetjie-uil
Tyto alba

Barn Owls are common near buildings and I have heard them calling at my home on more than one occasion.

The chicks below were photographed while ringing them a few years ago. The difference in feather development between the chicks is very noticeable. In most bird species the feather development of chicks will be very similar. This is so because the parents will only start brooding the eggs after all the eggs have been laid. But not so with Barn Owls. A clutch can consist of 5-6 eggs laid with two day intervals. The female will start brooding as soon as the first egg is laid. The first egg is therefore already 8-10 days in development by the time the last egg is laid. It also means that the first egg hatch long before the last egg and so the story continues. This then also explains the big difference in feather development as indicated in the photographs.

Species observations

Below are links to some of the species that I have encountered while birding. I am not a brilliant photographer by any means so do not expect brilliant photos. The idea behind these pages is to give you a glimpse of my personal observations and experiences of the species that I have encountered. As you will also note by the lack of species, photos and text that this is work in progress!!!

Lapwing, Crowned
Owl, Barn