SANParks.org Forums

One of the BBBs....

Hi Albert.
That BBB is a juvenile Bateleur.

Not big and not particularly brown....

Juvie Bateleur - look at the bare parts on the face, which will turn red when the bird matures.
Second photo: Burchell's Coucal

Aha..at least I got the Coucal id right...so this would be a Brown Snake Eagle?

Jip! That's a brown snake eagle alright. Look at the long bare legs and the yellow eye.

haha love the post Roan Tough customers those Pels fishing owls. Never seen one...

Definitely a juvenile bateleur. You can also see the black starting to come through on the tips of its wings. Spectacular birds, one of my favorites.

One of the most amazing raptor sightings i can recall was at Shingwedzi.
We were having a late morning breakfast after a drive up from mopani and in the river bed we saw a family group of mongoose.
Unfortunately for them we weren't the only ones watching them.
After the sound of alarm calls from the mongoose we witnessed a Martial eagle swoop down and snatch one. The sound effects were amazing and it was an awesome sighting.

I would love to see another raptor on the hunt in my next trip coming up,
Ii think its one of the most thrilling sightings you can experience in the park.

The Martial Eagle is a magnificent bird, Stickman - I wish we could see more of them, they seem a bit scarce these days.
As for Pel's, after searching for more than 20 years, we went to Ndumo on a walk with a great guide, and finally saw it, I was so overcome with emotion I promptly burst into tears I heard sniffing behind me, and one of the men (a macho type), was in tears too. That was the only time we ever saw a Pel's. Spent 3 nights at Teba camp last December, (Pafuri), and we hunted high and low and didn't find it, so I agree, it's a myth! (I probably had hallucinations at Ndumo)

Always blame it on me, BB!



Saw the big 6 a couple of times in Kruger. Over a Saturday and a Sunday morning we picked up all 6 in central Kruger.

I posted this not too long ago on another birding forum.

Kruger National Park is one of the few places where one can spot the magestical Big 6 Birds. I have been fortunate to spot all 6 in a single weekend between Satara and Olifants! Here are some of our photos taken in Kruger.

Kori in flight

How far into the bush did you go to get this reluctant flyer airborne?

Far enough, BB, far enough.

Langtoon dam in fact.