Reader John Harshman sent two batches: birds and mammals (labeled “not bird pictures”); his notes are indented.
Here are some photos of hornbills from Botswana.
First, a red-billed hornbill (Tockus rufirostris) gathering mud, presumably for the purpose of sealing his mate into the nest hole, leaving a small opening through which he can pass food. All species of hornbills do this.
Second, a somewhat larger species in the same genus, a yellow-billed hornbill (Tockus leucomelas) just sitting there being handsome.
Third, one of my favorite birds, a much bigger ground hornbill (Bucorvus leadbeateri). Oddly enough, while the other hornbills are on the ground, the ground hornbill is in a tree. But check out the much longer legs. This is a terrestrial predator.
Finally, not a hornbill at all but an African fish eagle (Haliaeetus vocifer), cousin of the bald eagle, appropriately with a fish (unidentified).
Here are yet more photos from Botswana. The African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) are staring across the Khwai river at another, rival pack, trying to figure out whether there was about to be a territorial challenge. There was not.
The mongooses are, in order, banded (Mungos mungo), yellow (Cynictis penicillate), and dwarf (Helogale parvula). Banded mongooses are known to have a mutualistic relationship with warthogs, which they groom for parasites. Tell me you aren’t thinking about Timon and Pumbaa right now. All three of these species live in large family groups, and all of them adopt that cute standing-up scouting posture.
Nice shots of Africa. Makes me want to return.
Nice photos. I have to get to Africa.
I was thinking of Riki Tiki Tavi. I honestly don’t know the names mentioned.
Thanks for the pics. Very nice.
I really like seeing those less-often photographed things like the mongooses (mongeese?) and the wonderful hornbills.
Me too.
Hornbills are among my favorite birds. There is something extra-dinosaur about them.
Exactly what I thought when I saw the first one, the red-billed, on the beach. It looks like it is from another era.
Ground hornbills have actually been used as models to explain the behavior of ground-feeding azhdarchid pterosaurs. OK, pterosaurs aren’t dinosaurs, and ground hornbills are. But pterosaurs are prehistoric, which is what you meant.
🐾
The hornbills are gorgeous! And I love the photo of the African wild dogs – interesting how much their coat colors and patterns differ.
That Ground Hornbill looks like some black bird that put on a Halloween mask.
Great photos!
Two thumbs Up! Opposable, of course.