Grey-Headed Kingfisher

English Name Grey-Headed Kingfisher Afrikaans Name Gryskopvisvanger Photographer Pierre Louw Location Lumwana Mine Lease Elna’s Notes The grey head and chestnut belly are diagnostic. Their size is 20-21 cm and sexes are alike. They are a locally common resident breeding intra-African migrant. They frequent well developed broad-leafed woodland and savanna, usually near water but are non-aquatic. They are either solitary or in pairs and would perch for long periods on a branch, scanning the ground below. They beat large prey on the perch before swallowing it. They migrate at night and are often killed by flying into buildings. They eat insects and lizards. Nestlings are fed by both parents. We found this one last September when we went for a drive on the mine lease. He sat quietly for a long time so we could really get a good look at him.

Purple Praying Mantis

English Name ??? Purple Praying Mantis ??? Afrikaans Name Hottentotsgot of Bidsprinkaan??? Photographer Tanya Carmine Location House 2, Cons Camp Elna’s Notes The Wolfenden kids found this beautiful Praying Mantis in their garden a few days ago. Can anyone tell us more about it? I've searched the internet but cannot seem to find anything like it.

Verreaux's (Giant) Eagle-Owl

English Name Verreaux’s (Giant) Eagle-Owl Afrikaans Name Reuse Oor-uil Photographer Melinda Michael Location House 4, Cons Camp Elna’s Notes They are quite large owls (58 to 66 cm). At close range, the pink eyelids and dark brown eyes (not yellow/orange like other eagle owls) are distinctive. They are usually either solitary or in pairs or in family groups of 3 birds. They can apparently become tame. They eat a variety of prey eg mammals, birds (even birds roosting in trees), reptiles, frogs, fish and insects in flight. They prefer areas with tall trees. Pairs breed solitarily and are very widely spaced – seldom closer than 4km to one another. They nest in other birds’ nests, often taking over an occupied nest by forcing the occupants out. The pair calls frequently at night in the vicinity of the nest before laying but once incubation begins, they become relatively silent. They usually lay two eggs but only one young is raised at a time. The youngster remains with the parents until the next breeding season. Pairs do not breed every year. They make a grunting “pig like” sound. I heard two of them last night – in duet near our and Melinda’s house - probably in the same area where this photo was taken in May 2007.