As most of you know, I’m not a birder. What I know about birds rivals what I know about plants. Here’s what I know about plants. There are four kinds; trees, bushes, grass and flowers. Some are pretty, some aren’t. They are usually green but not always. The way I can tell a weed from a flower is that the one I pull up, trying to be helpful, is a flower.
Likewise with birds, there are big birds, small birds, and medium sized birds. Most of them fly, and most of them are pretty. Like people, the size and shape of their beaks vary. Most importantly, when you are in the ninth grade holding a milk shake in the school lunch area a seagull will fly over and poop in the cup. And that is pretty much it.
However, here in Kenya we are constantly surrounded by a huge variety of different birds. They vary in size, color, beaks, and shapes. So perhaps I should re-evaluate my opinion.
I’m posting a bunch of photos of birds that Anne and I have taken. I’ve included comments that I think the birds in the photos might be making and their name, either their actual name (in a few cases) or what I call them for lack of knowledge of their actual name.
Enjoy, and if you want to give me the correct name, feel free.
“Is it 6:30 am yet? Let’s go over and pound our beaks on John and Anne’s window.” — Quit Pecking on My Damn Window Bird
The black one is the male. The one with the nice legs is the female. — Ostriches
“You left a wingprint on my cheek.” “I told you, Not on the first date.” — Blue Breasted Cheek Slapper
“I knew if I stayed through the rainy season my head would rust.” — Rust Headed Blue Belly
“We flew too close to Anne when she was watercoloring.” — Rainbow Little Bird.
“Who’s my Daddy? Who’s my Daddy? Oh! you said Bustard.” — Bustard
I can’t think of anything even approaching funny for this picture — Iridescent Blue Bird
” Okay, you guys, when a car comes just run straight down the road and make them slam on their brakes. It’s really fun.” — Yellow Ring Necked Too Dumb to Get Out of the Road Bird
— Like a Bustard but Smaller and Prettier Bird.
“Eleven of us watching that Rhino? Lewa rules say only two should stop at a sighting. What is this the Mara?.” — Stork
” I liked your hat so I got one like it. I didn’t know we would be at the same garden party.” — Carmen Miranda Bird
“Nice carpet in your office Maurice.” “Thanks. It’s custom. Can I offer you guys a nice tick?” — Zebra Rider Birds
“My feathers look so fine.” — Blue Headed Hamilton Back
“Don’t chase me around the desk, you snake.” — Secretary Bird
“Do I want an Elephant or Rhino for lunch?” — Tawny Eagle
“I can’t do a pushup, sergeant, my beak keeps hitting the ground.” — Long Black Beaked Black Bird
“Don’t you step on my blue suede shoes!” — Elvis Bird
Dot, If you are still reading this post, a guide to East African Birds would be a nice Christmas present.
I think all these names are correct. I knew a NPS ranger who answered all inquiries about birds by saying, “It’s an LGB.”
Little Gray Bird
We have LGBs here as well. They are just to small and quick to get good photos.
Iridescent blue bird… what do you think of the new air brush job..
Avian tattoos.
great pictures!
Ok I’m a birder but not familiar with birds of Kenya, I checked around the internet and found what I could
top to bottom
Von der Denken’s hornbill
Ostrich
Red cheeked cordon blue
Purple Grenadier
lilac breasted roller
Kori Bustard
Greater blue eared starling
Yellow throated sand grouse
Hartlaubes Bustard
yellowed billed stork
grey crowned crane
red billed oxpecker
Helmitted guineafowl
Secretary bird
tawny eagle
Hadada Ibis
white-billed Go away bird
books to find would be
Bird of Kenya and Northern Tanzania
Birds of East Africa
I think ? 🙂
Thanks Jeff. How did you find our blog. Just curious.
John
John, the birds on the Zebra are called Free Loaders, they are common across the global. Mark
Hi John… My cousin, John Powell pointed Jeff and I to your blog! We are birders and Jeff loves a good challenge! Nice pictures : )
Welcome to the blog and thanks for all the bird information. FYI. We are heading home for Xmas and won’t be posting any more Africa blogs until early January.