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Scopidae series | 锤头鹳科 | liewwk Nature – 1 [update 20250213]

What a magnificent stork! It was a truly stunning sight to behold.

 

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1. Hamerkop, 锤头鹳, 錘頭鸛, Scopus umbretta, シュモクドリ

 

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1. Hamerkop, 锤头鹳, 錘頭鸛, Scopus umbretta, シュモクドリ

A squat, brown, ibis-like bird with a bushy-crested “hammer-head”; often found near wetlands or rivers. In flight, it has distinctively deep wingbeats and may occasionally soar very high, when the long neck separates it from raptors. It struts about in wetlands foraging for frogs, fish, and insects. It needs nearby large trees for building its giant (1.5-m-across) stick nest. Calls include a high-pitched “nyip” in flight and a distinctive, rollicking call ending in a purring rattle “kyik-kyik-kyik-kyik-kyik kyik-keeek-kreeeeek”. [ebird]

一种矮胖的棕色鸟类，外形像鹮，头顶有一丛浓密的羽冠，像“锤头”；经常在湿地或河流附近发现。飞行时，它有独特的、强有力的振翅，偶尔也会翱翔到很高的高度，这时它细长的脖子使其与猛禽区分开来。它在湿地中昂首阔步，觅食青蛙、鱼类和昆虫。它需要附近的大树来建造其巨大的（直径1.5米）树枝巢。叫声包括飞行时发出高亢的“nyip”声，以及一种独特的、欢快的叫声，最后以咕噜声结束：“kyik-kyik-kyik-kyik-kyik kyik-keeek-kreeeeek”。

update 202502

This bird is generally brown and has a peculiarly shaped head. It’s quite strangely featured, yet surprisingly common, found in both urban and forested environments.

这种鸟通体呈棕色，头部形状奇特。它的外貌相当怪异，但却出人意料地常见，在城市和森林环境中都能找到。

202501,
Kruger National Park, South Africa

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Phoeniculidae series | 林戴胜科 | liewwk Nature – 1 [update 20250209]

 

1. Green Woodhoopoe, 绿林戴胜, 綠林戴勝, Phoeniculus purpureus, ミドリモリヤツガシラ

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1. Green Woodhoopoe, 绿林戴胜, 綠林戴勝, Phoeniculus purpureus, ミドリモリヤツガシラ

An elongated, metallic-green-black bird with red feet and a long, decurved, red-orange bill. Juveniles have dark bills but are often in the company of adults. It flies heavily, with the long floppy, white-tipped tail dangling behind. Pairs and groups of up to 14 birds are highly social, occupying savanna, woodland, riverine forest, and gardens, where they nest and roost in natural cavities. Clambers in trees, probing bark and crevices for insects and small vertebrates. They communicate using a strong cackling chatter that sounds maniacal. The almost identical Grant’s and Violet woodhoopoes (with which it sometimes hybridizes) differ from Green Woodhoopoe only by having a coppery-purple (not glossy greenish) metallic sheen. [EBird]

一种体型细长、具有金属绿色至黑色光泽的鸟类，红色的脚搭配长而下弯的红橙色嘴喙。幼鸟的嘴喙较暗，但常与成鸟一起活动。飞行时姿态沉重，长而松散的白色尾端在身后摆动。

通常成对或最多 14 只的小群活动，极具社交性，栖息于稀树草原、林地、河畔森林和花园，并在天然洞穴中筑巢和栖息。它们擅长攀爬树木，在树皮和缝隙间寻找昆虫及小型脊椎动物。叫声响亮刺耳，类似疯狂的咯咯笑声。

与绿林犀鸟几乎相似的格兰特氏林犀鸟和紫林犀鸟（有时与之杂交）唯一的区别在于，它们的金属光泽呈铜紫色，而非光亮的绿色。

update 202502

One of my most sought-after birds, I only spotted it twice in 17 days. Excited to see it up close and even feeding—such a brilliantly colorful bird!

这是我最想见到的鸟之一，在 17 天内只看到过两次。能在不远处观赏到它并目睹其觅食，真是令人兴奋，这么一只色彩斑斓的鸟！

202501,
Kruger National Park, South Africa

 

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Phalacrocoracidae series | 鸬鹚科 | liewwk Nature -1 [update 20250205]

 

1. Bank Cormorant, 岸鸬鹚, 堤鸕鷀, Phalacrocorax neglectus, ハナグロウ

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1. Bank Cormorant, 岸鸬鹚, 堤鸕鷀, Phalacrocorax neglectus, ハナグロウ

A medium-to-large-sized, stocky, marine cormorant that is a specialist in kelp forests of the Benguela Current, where it is scarce resident. Similar to Cape Cormorant but slightly larger and thicker-necked. Adults have a black (not orange) throat patch and honey-brown (not blue) eyes, giving them a plain-looking face. If seen well, the head is flattish with an indistinct crest that more often manifests as a bulbous forehead. In flight, it is difficult to tell from the abundant Cape Cormorant unless the characteristic white back–most prevalent in the breeding season (but absent in some individuals)–is seen. Immatures are duller but retain the adult’s characteristic shape. Best seen at roosts. [Ebird]

一种中等至大型、体型粗壮的海洋鸬鹚，主要栖息于本格拉寒流的海藻森林中，但数量稀少。与好望角鸬鹚相似，但体型略大，颈部更粗。成鸟的喉部是黑色（而非橙色），眼睛呈蜂蜜棕色（而非蓝色），使其面部看起来较为朴素。若观察仔细，可见其头部较平，具不明显的冠羽，有时表现为隆起的额头。在飞行时，除非看到其特有的白色背部（主要出现在繁殖季节，但部分个体没有），否则很难与数量众多的好望角鸬鹚区分。幼鸟颜色较暗淡，但仍保留成鸟的特征性体型。最佳观赏地点是其栖息地。

update 202502

We only spotted this bird in Cape Town. It appears completely black, though from certain angles, the “white rump” can be seen. It’s a unique species and surprisingly easy to find, but only in that one location.

我们只在开普敦看到这种鸟。它整体呈黑色，但从某些角度可以看到“白色臀部”。这是一种非常独特的鸟类，而且只在一个特定地点容易找到。

202501, Cape Town, South Africa

 

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Sagittariidae series | 蛇鹫科 | liewwk Nature – 1 [update 20250205]

 

 

1. Secretarybird, 蛇鹫, 蛇鷲, Sagittarius serpentarius, ヘビクイワシ

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1. Secretarybird, 蛇鹫, 蛇鷲, Sagittarius serpentarius, ヘビクイワシ

A distinctive, tall, long-legged, crane-like raptor with unique quill-like plumes on its head and bright-red facial skin. In flight, the dark edge to the hind wing, diamond-shaped tail, and long spatulate tail feathers make it unmistakable. It prefers open rangeland and savanna, where it strides about hunting for reptiles, small mammals, and insects, which it bludgeons with its powerful legs. [Ebird]

一种独特的、高大、长腿的类似鹤的猛禽，头上有独特的羽毛状饰羽，面部皮肤鲜红。在飞行时，其后翼的黑色边缘、菱形尾巴和长长的匙状尾羽使其极具辨识度。它偏好开阔的牧场和稀树草原，迈着大步四处行走，捕猎爬行动物、小型哺乳动物和昆虫，并用强有力的双腿将猎物击晕。

update 202502

A remarkable bird that resembles a crane or stork with long legs but has more of a raptor-like appearance. It’s one of my main targets—I’ve had a few sightings but haven’t captured great photos yet. However, I’m sure I’ll dedicate more time to this bird on my future trips to Africa.

一种独特的鸟类，外形类似鹤或鹳，拥有修长的双腿，但更像猛禽。这是我主要的目标之一，虽然曾经遇见过几次，但照片效果不太理想。不过，我相信在未来的非洲之行中，我会花更多时间关注这种鸟。

202501,
South Africa

 

 

 

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Numididae series | 珍珠鸡科 | liewwk Nature [update 20250204]

 

1. Southern Crested Guineafowl, 南冠珠鸡, 南冠珠雞, Guttera edouardi

 

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1. Southern Crested Guineafowl, 南冠珠鸡, 南冠珠雞, Guttera edouardi

A large-bodied, small-headed, black gamebird perfectly lined with rows of hundreds of bluish-white spots. It has a ridiculous-looking plumed “toupee” above the naked face, which features an ivory-colored bill and a blood-red eye. The facial skin color varies geographically, and can be mostly blue-gray with small patches of red and white, or predominantly blue-gray with a large white patch on the back of the neck. A broad band around the base of the neck is unspotted black. It prefers forest and thickets, where it forages on the ground for berries, seeds, and other plant matter. The similar Helmeted Guineafowl differs by its lack of feathered crest and its having a bone-like casque on top of the head instead. The alarm call is a series of rattling, agitated notes that speed up and slow down; similar to the call of Helmeted Guineafowl, but with a tinnier quality. [Ebird]

南非冠珠鸡（Guttera edouardi），曾经是东非冠珠鸡的亚种，2014年设为独立物种。体长46-56厘米，翼展75-100厘米，体重721-1573克。有一个独特的黑色的顶部，卷曲的羽毛形成的羽冠，其形状根据亚种而不同，头部和颈部裸露的皮肤呈灰蓝色，眼周和额头和喉咙有大片红色斑点。全身羽毛为纯黑色，上面布有密集的白色斑点。虹膜红色，鸟喙粉色，腿爪灰色。
栖息于森林和茂密的河边林地，成对或聚小群，吃水果、浆果、种子和无脊椎动物。经常跟随猴子，啄食灵长类从树顶落下的食物。春季和夏季繁殖，雌鸡在厚厚的植被中挖掘一个浅坑为鸟巢，每窝产4-5枚卵。
update 202502

As we were nearing our hotel on a cloudy day, a large group of birds suddenly appeared by the roadside. Wow, what a stunning sight!

当我们快到酒店时，天空乌云密布，一大群鸟儿突然出现在路边。哇，真是太美了！

202501,
St Lucia, South Africa

 

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Chamaeleonidae series | 变色龙科 | liewwk Nature – 1 [update 20250203]

 

101. Flap Neck Chameleon, 喷点变色龙, 噴點變色龍, Chamaeleo dilepis

 

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101. Flap Neck Chameleon, 喷点变色龙, 噴點變色龍, Chamaeleo dilepis

 

update 202502

I never expected to see this adorable creature in South Africa—I thought I’d only encounter it in Madagascar on my next visit. But what a lucky sight! This tiny chameleon was crossing the road so slowly that everyone had to wait for it to make its way before we could continue our journey. define top 5 sight of 2025

我从没想到会在南非看到这只可爱的生物——原以为只有下次去马达加斯加时才会遇见它。但真是幸运的一幕！这只小小的变色龙慢吞吞地穿过马路，所有人都停下来等它通过后才继续我们的旅程。

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Equidae series | 马科 | liewwk Nature [update 20250131]

 

1. Zebra, 斑马, 斑馬, Equus quagga

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1. Zebra, 斑马, 斑馬, Equus quagga

The plains zebra occurs in six regional races, each with its own stripe pattern. All are distinct from the two other zebra species: the larger Grevy’s zebra (Equus grevyi) of northern Kenya, and smaller mountain zebra (Equus equus) of southwest Africa.

Plains zebras are highly sociable: dominant stallions preside over harems of females and young, which may coalesce into much larger herds. especially during migration, and often associate with wildebeest and other grazers. Zebra crop grass using flexible lips and powerful incisors, and open up grassland habitat for other species.

Their pattern has long puzzled scientists: it may function as camouflage, as an insect deterrent or to dazzle pursuing predators such as lions; perhaps all three.  [https://www.expertafrica.com/wildlife/zebra/africa]

update 202501

It’s common, but such an adorable creature—I never get tired of seeing it over and over again.

它很常见，但却是如此可爱的生物，无论看多少次都不会腻。

202501,
Kruger National Park, South Africa

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Herpestidae series | 獴科 | liewwk Nature [update 20250128]

Very cute creatures, commonly found in African regions, are neither rare nor shy.

非常可爱的生物，常见于非洲地区，既不稀有也不害羞。

1. Meerkats, 狐獴, Suricata suricatta

 

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1. Meerkats, 狐獴, Suricata suricatta

update 202501

Occasionally spotted in open grasslands, they are often seen in groups and appear very curious about humans.

偶尔在开阔的草原上被发现，它们常常成群出现，并对人类表现出极大的好奇心。会站上来看我们。

202501, Wakkerstroom, South Africa

 

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Giraffidae series | 长颈鹿科 | liewwk Nature – 1 [update 20250122]

Giraffes are divided into numerous subspecies, although the most well-known are the Maasai, reticulated and Rothschild’s giraffes. In Southern Africa, however, all giraffe are “southern giraffe.” Subspecies differ only in their blotch pattern, color and distribution; all other characteristics are the same.

[https://www.nathab.com/know-before-you-go/african-safaris/southern-africa/wildlife-guide/giraffe/]

 

1. South African giraffe, 南非长颈鹿, 南非長頸鹿, Giraffa camelopardalis

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1. South African giraffe, 南非长颈鹿, 南非長頸鹿, Giraffa camelopardalis

 

update 202501

It’s such an adorable creature! Seeing it in the wild made us pause for a while to capture some photos of this charming animal—even though we were here primarily for the birds. Absolutely delightful!

它真是个可爱的生物！在野外看到它时，虽然我们主要是为了观鸟而来的, 我们停下来蛮久拍了好一会儿照片，但它实在太可爱了！

202501, Mkuze Game Reserve, South Africa

 

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Phoenicopteridae series | 红鹳科 | liewwk Nature -1 [update 20250120]

Typically refers to a flamingo, which we remember as a bird with a long neck, reddish hue, and slow, graceful movements.

通常指火烈鸟，我们记得它是一种长颈、红色、动作缓慢而优雅的鸟。

1. Greater Flamingo, 大红鹳, 大紅鸛, Phoenicopterus roseus, ヨーロッパフラミンゴ

 

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1. Greater Flamingo, 大红鹳, 大紅鸛, Phoenicopterus roseus, ヨーロッパフラミンゴ

 

update 20250120

The flamingo was the final bird of our 18-day South Africa bird photography trip. During the morning session, we struggled with either facing the wrong direction or dealing with distance challenges. However, just before heading back, a few of them flew gracefully toward us in perfect light, as if bidding us farewell. We ended the trip with over 356 bird species, 20+ mammals, and several reptiles captured in photographs. It was an incredible journey filled with fun, great company, delicious food, and valuable lessons in patience (especially when waiting for meals).

火烈鸟是我们南非18天观鸟摄影之旅的最后一只鸟。在早晨的拍摄中，我们不是方向不对就是距离受限。然而，就在我们准备返程前，一些火烈鸟迎着完美的光线飞向我们，仿佛是在向我们告别。最终，我们拍摄了超过356种鸟类、20多种哺乳动物以及一些爬行动物。这是一段充满乐趣的旅程，有很棒的团队、美味的食物，还有耐心的宝贵训练（尤其是在等待食物的时候）。

202501, Cape Town, South Africa

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