Hooded VultureI've just moved to Juba after five weeks in Khartoum. Bird-wise, one immediate impression is that there's a much greater variety of raptors here. Hooded Vultures Necrosyrtes monachus are numerous, with at least 50 seen daily. Next most common are Yellow-billed Kites Milvus migrans parasiticus/aegyptius, with about 10 daily. Other species seen in ones and twos include:
Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus
Osprey Pandion haliaetus
African White-backed Vulture Gyps africanus
Eastern Chanting-Goshawk Melierax poliopterus
African Harrier-Hawk Polyboroides typus
Wahlberg's Eagle Aquila wahlbergi
Bateleur Terathopius ecaudatus
Long-crested Eagle Lophaetus occipitalis
Red-necked Falcon Falco chicquera
Today I also saw what I believe was a European Honey-buzzard Pernis apivorus, a species I was studying in UK.
The scavenging vultures are accompanied by Marabou Storks Leptoptilos crumeniferus, with up to 10 daily.
I'll say a bit about other local birds in my next post.
Nice birds Mark. I've only ever seen a handful of those species and its making me want to visit you in Juba more than ever. There are plenty of small raptors up here in Khartoum, but (except for the kites) not the sort that you see souring over the city. Somehow I expect that from a tropical country.
ReplyDeleteHi Everyone, I am a pilot in Juba (ex safari operator in Zimbabwe) and very keen on the birds here. Can you advise me on the best book to buy to cover birds of South Sudan? From our hotel, I see whats looks like Peregrine Falcons hunting in the distance, can anyone confirm this? Lastly, do anyone have a checklist for birds seen in Juba? Many tks. Alistair
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