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Anybody ever seen these birds in KNP during the summer months?

Saw them in Satara camp in December 2003 and at Lower Sabie area in November 2004.

When we stayed in Crocodile Bridge over New Year 2002/2003 we were luck enough to have a pair nesting in on of the hollow metal fence posts quite close to our rondavel. We could sit on the patio and whatch them both comming and going. Got some nice photos, but unfortunately before we had a digital camera.
It is a cause of amusement to Jan and I that the male has such bright colours and the female is so different.

I saw one a few years ago in December in the South of the Park, also pre digital unfortunately.
It was in the sun and the colours took my breath away.
Its one of those birds that when seen, you immediately know what it is.

Saw a male and female in Pkop on Friday 06/10/2006.

Here is my only in focus photos of this bird.

................Male..............................................Female

I have seen these birds in early summer (November) in the Renosterkoppies area (S112) and at Shingwedzi and Bateleur camps.

There are plenty of violet-backed starlings around the Treetop Walk in Mapungubwe and in the rest of the riverine forest.

Okay, its not KNP but every now and then I cannot resist posting some free publicity for 'my' park - one of the best and undiscovered birding areas of the country!

spotted this bird on 3 separate occasions this trip, 2x in Lower Sabie area and once just outside the park.

Took this female at the birdbath outside my hut (no 9) at Biyamiti last week.



The Male had to be around somewhere. As usual the female of this species was far braver and came down 3 more times before this dude arrived 45 mins later....luckily my lens managed to resolve his brilliant colour in the shade with a bit of help from the SB800

Saw my first one in Satara parking area in December

Juv Lesser Striped Swallow?

Bahamut,

your first picture is that of a female Plum-Colored Starling.

I would say it is a juv Plum Coloured Starling. The bright yellow gape is shows this to still be a juv.

The V-B starling was not happy about the G.B-E starling wanting to build a nest near the area where he wanted to. He attacked, and Mrs. V-B sat twitching and flapping her wing , almost as if she was applauding his attempts. Here you can sort of see him coming in on a bomb dive while the G.B-E has building material in its beak. Sat watching for quite a while be for i thought of a photo, forever doing that