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Have anyone ever seen a bird that swims underwater and then comes up a bit later with a fish in its mouth and then swallow it whole ? I have seen this at lake panic about a week ago for the first time will try and show some photo's. What is this bird called ?

A big black bird.

After eating the fish it went under again to search for more...

Likely to have been a Reed Cormorant



OR (if seen from the rear) a White-breasted Cormorant



Largish water bird at ~ 50-55cm in size

Keep looking

Daan

Most likely yes, though Mars may have seen wrong colours and spotted an African Darter. Unlikely from the description, but a small possibility.

Are you getting into birding Mars? The birding forums are great!

Lol well just maybe I'll forget about the big animals and just watch birds This was really interesting and I watched with my mouth open... The bird looks different than the photo's posted...

I'll go with African Darter too.

Hey Mars, the forum is an ideal way to get into birding, a most rewarding pastime in and out of the national parks, and when you know just a bit, it doubles your enjoyment of going to the parks.

To get started, you need a good book. This has been discussed on other threads.

Go for it, you won't regret it!,

BTW, we still also enjoy the big and hairy!

The bird fundi's will help ID it when you post your pics Mars.

African Darter

I have watched a similar scene at Sunset Dam. Amazing how they get the fish down those narrow throats! And also toss it about until the are sure it will be swallow head first.

Earlier this year at Nylsvlei I saw an African Darter do exactly the same thing. It was fascinating to watch.

Hi Mars,

I saw an African Darter catching a fish the end of September at Lake Panic. I include a photo for your identification purposes!

I hope it helps!

Hello,
I´ve got a question. I was in Kruger dec 2009 and I liked besides the wild animals these many beautiful birds. I read much in the forum abouth how they look, but I like especially the sounds of the birds.
Who knows the name of the bird, that I heard often.
It begins with a high tone, and then it sounds as a scale from top to bottom. Maybe the African name too?! Thanks

Hi elly!!

Did you get to see the bird? What colour was it?

Woodland kingfishers are very vocal at the moment.

No, infortunately, I didn´t get to see the bird. But maybe you are right with the woodland kingfisher: it´s a beautiful bird, thanks anyway!!

Every time I have gone to the Kruger, and it is an overcast day, I see hundreds of guineafowl, as well as other game birds(francolin), walking around and when its sunny they are usually under a bush.
Could this be a possible explanation - As most birds of prey are darkly coloured, they contrast with the white sky and become easy to spot, and so guineafowl can have more confidence in the open as they can spot the birds of prey easily and early, and so avoid being killed/hunted.
This is a question by the way.

Thanks,
JJ

Maybe because of the weather condition there are more insects about? Like flying ants come out after rain.

That is just a wild guess on my behalf

Maybe they're just cooler when it's overcast and hides away in the shade because it's too hot for them?

I think DB is on to it. Maybe like on windy nights in KTP, scorpions come out to feed on winged insects that are grounded.