Top Guns
African Birdlife|March - April 2017

BIRDS OF PREY have, unsurprisingly, fascinated people throughout the ages.

Albie Venter
Top Guns

Although a number of raptor species face serious threats to their survival in many parts of their range, in southern Africa we are very privileged to have a relative abundance of these supreme hunters to enjoy and photograph. Many of our parks and reserves offer great raptor viewing and, with ongoing and dedicated conservation efforts to support these magnificent creatures, we will be able to continue to appreciate them for years to come.

Below A denizen of lush riparian forests and dense bush, the African Barred Owlet can be tricky to find, but once you become familiar with its call it is easier to locate. Unlike other owls that do their utmost to render themselves invisible by reducing their eyes to mere slits, these owlets will stare down any human intruder with their bright yellow eyes pulled into an indignant squint.

Right Over the course of a couple of weeks I photographed two Spotted Eagle-Owl nestlings that ‘fell’ from their nest and clambered up a nearby tree, where they continued to receive food from the adult female. In order to limit brood failure though predation, the chicks leave the nest at about two weeks, disperse and often find shelter on the ground. This separation ensures that should a predator find and kill one of the defenceless owlets, there is a reasonable chance that the entire brood won’t be lost.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der March - April 2017-Ausgabe von African Birdlife.

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Diese Geschichte stammt aus der March - April 2017-Ausgabe von African Birdlife.

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