Dabchick Wildlife Reserve

3 weeks ago

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Dabchick Wildlife Reserve

4 weeks ago

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Dabchick Wildlife Reserve

1 month ago

𝘿𝘼𝘽𝘾𝙃𝙄𝘾𝙆 𝙒𝙄𝙇𝘿 𝘽𝙄𝙍𝘿𝙎
𝐃𝐖𝐑 𝐁𝐢𝐫𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡!
𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒
𝐊𝐥𝐚𝐚𝐬’𝐬 𝐜𝐮𝐜𝐤𝐨𝐨 (𝘾𝙝𝙧𝙮𝙨𝙤𝙘𝙤𝙘𝙘𝙮𝙭 𝙠𝙡𝙖𝙖𝙨)

𝐈𝐔𝐂𝐍 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐬: Least Concern

The Klaas’s cuckoo is a small, striking bird measuring 16–18 cm (6.3–7.1 inches) in length, known for its vibrant plumage and intriguing behaviour.

𝐀 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐭: 𝐌𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐞
This species displays sexual dimorphism, meaning males and females have distinct appearances:

Males: Glossy green bodies with plain white underparts, appearing largely white in flight with dark primary feathers.

Females: Bronze-brown plumage with greenish wing coverts, faint barring on white underparts, and a predominantly brown appearance in flight.

Both sexes share a subtle yet striking white patch behind the eye.

𝐀 𝐇𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
In 1806, French explorer and ornithologist François Le Vaillant named the species 𝙇𝙚 𝘾𝙤𝙪𝙘𝙤𝙪 𝙙𝙚 𝙆𝙡𝙖𝙖𝙨 in his 𝙃𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙞𝙧𝙚 𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙚 𝙙𝙚𝙨 𝙤𝙞𝙨𝙚𝙖𝙪𝙭 𝙙’𝘼𝙛𝙧𝙞𝙦𝙪𝙚. He honoured his Khoikhoi assistant, Klaas, who collected the type specimen. Le Vaillant’s writings often explored curious avian mysteries, such as how cuckoos manage to lay their eggs in the snug nests of other birds.

💡 François Le Vaillant (1753–1824) was a pioneering naturalist and explorer, renowned for his extensive documentation of African birdlife.

𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐦
Klaas’s cuckoos are brood parasites, meaning they lay their eggs in the nests of other birds. They primarily target three groups: sunbirds, batises, and warblers:
• When laying her egg, the female cuckoo removes one of the host’s eggs.
• After hatching, the young cuckoo evicts the remaining nest occupants, ensuring all resources are solely theirs.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐮𝐜𝐤𝐨𝐨
In Afrikaans, this bird is affectionately known as the 𝙢𝙚𝙞𝙩𝙟𝙞𝙚, an onomatopoeic name inspired by its distinct call: 𝙢𝙚𝙞𝙩𝙟𝙞𝙚, 𝙢𝙚𝙞𝙩𝙟𝙞𝙚, 𝙢𝙚𝙞𝙩𝙟𝙞𝙚. Interestingly, the word 𝙢𝙚𝙞𝙩𝙟𝙞𝙚 also refers to a young maidservant in Afrikaans, tying its name to both sound and cultural context.

Dr Pamela Oberem comments, “Klaas’s cuckoo is a beautiful summer migrant more often heard than seen. Its call is the origin of its name in Afrikaans – 𝙢𝙚𝙞𝙩𝙟𝙞𝙚, 𝙢𝙚𝙞𝙩𝙟𝙞𝙚. Parasitises small birds such as sunbirds and cisticolas, feeds on hairy caterpillars and bugs.”

From its vibrant plumage to its fascinating behaviour, Klaas’s cuckoo is a bird that captivates birdwatchers and ornithologists alike.

𝙃𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙨𝙥𝙤𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙖𝙩 𝘿𝙖𝙗𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙘𝙠 𝙒𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙍𝙚𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙚? Share your experience in the comments!

🎼 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐬, 𝐒𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐬 & 𝐒𝐧𝐚𝐩𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐬!
ebird.org/species/klacuc1?siteLanguage=en_ZA
📸 Derek Keats

🦆Dabchick Wildlife Reserve offers great bird and other photography opportunities! Book your stay now!
#Birdwatching #Ecotourism

For reservations, email: hospitality@dabchick.co.za
For more information, visit www.dabchick.co.za
AMES Foundation Dabchick Wildlife Reserve
#ConserveWildlife #ProtectBiodiversity #Africa #BirdOfTheMonth #Cuckoo #DabchickWildlifeReserve #WildlifeConservation #ConservationInAction ... See MoreSee Less

Dabchick Wildlife Reserve

2 months ago

𝘿𝘼𝘽𝘾𝙃𝙄𝘾𝙆 𝙒𝙄𝙇𝘿 𝘽𝙄𝙍𝘿𝙎
𝐃𝐖𝐑 𝐁𝐢𝐫𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡!
𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒
𝐕𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐭-𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠
(𝘾𝙞𝙣𝙣𝙮𝙧𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙡𝙪𝙨 𝙡𝙚𝙪𝙘𝙤𝙜𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧)
𝐈𝐔𝐂𝐍 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐬: Least Concern

The violet-backed starling is arguably one of the most stunning starlings in Africa. With its iridescent plumage, it outshines its relatives in the 𝙇𝙖𝙢𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙨 genus, known as “shining birds.” Also called the amethyst starling, this name perfectly captures its jewel-like beauty. Scientifically named 𝘾𝙞𝙣𝙣𝙮𝙧𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙡𝙪𝙨 𝙡𝙚𝙪𝙘𝙤𝙜𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧 - meaning “shining thrush, white-bellied” - it’s a dazzling spectacle in the avian world.

𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐱𝐞𝐬
The male violet-backed starling is a visual masterpiece. His head and back shimmer with iridescent purple and violet hues that shift dramatically with the angle of light. This vibrant plumage contrasts starkly with his pure white chest and belly, creating an unforgettable sight, especially in bright sunlight.

The female, by contrast, is more understated. Her head and back are mottled brown, while her white chest is streaked with bold black markings. This streaking sets her apart, as no other African starling shows similar patterns.

𝐌𝐢𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐲𝐥𝐞
Violet-backed starlings are intra-African migrants, arriving in southern Africa around mid-October and departing by late May. They breed here during their stay, while winter months are spent in the moist savannas south of the Sahara. They are also found in parts of the Middle East, such as Yemen and Saudi Arabia.

Their preferred habitats include moist savannas and woodlands with abundant fruiting trees, particularly figs. Their diet consists of fruits, seeds, and arthropods.

Occasionally, they display flycatcher-like behaviour, hawking insects mid-air. However, they rarely descend to the ground, spending most of their time high in the canopy.

𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐞𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐫
These birds are as delightful to hear as they are to see. Among their many vocalisations, their main call is a curious, soft grating sound resembling a squeaky garden gate. During breeding, the male often accompanies this sound with a fascinating display—raising one wing straight up as if asking a question.

𝐀 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐃𝐚𝐛𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐤
Dr Pamela Oberem describes them as “one of the most delightful migrants to South Africa in the summer months. The male, with his breathtaking iridescent purple head and back contrasting with his white chest and belly, is a stunning sight. He also draws attention with his soft lyrical call of ‘sweetie.’ The female, with her neat thrush-like striping, adds a quieter charm. Arriving in early summer, they feed on fruit and insects and breed in tree holes.”

💡The violet-backed starling, with its vibrant colours and intriguing behaviour, truly is one of Africa’s avian treasures.

🎼 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐬, 𝐒𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐬 & 𝐒𝐧𝐚𝐩𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐬!
ebird.org/species/vibsta2?siteLanguage=en_GB
📸 Thierry

@followers
🦆Dabchick Wildlife Reserve offers great bird and other photography opportunities! Book your stay now!
#Birdwatching #Ecotourism

For reservations, contact Anele by email: hospitality@dabchick.co.za
For more information, visit www.dabchick.co.za

#ConserveWildlife #ProtectBiodiversity #Africa #BirdOfTheMonth #VioletbackedStarling #migratorybirds #DabchickWildlifeReserve #WildlifeConservation #Migratory #ConservationInAction ... See MoreSee Less

Dabchick Wildlife Reserve

3 months ago

𝘿𝘼𝘽𝘾𝙃𝙄𝘾𝙆 𝙒𝙄𝙇𝘿 𝘽𝙄𝙍𝘿𝙎
𝐃𝐖𝐑 𝐁𝐢𝐫𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡!
𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒
𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐣𝐚𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐚 (𝘼𝙘𝙩𝙤𝙥𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙤𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙨 𝙖𝙛𝙧𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙣𝙪𝙨)
𝐈𝐔𝐂𝐍 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐬: Least Concern

A striking bird with chestnut brown plumage, a white throat, and a distinctive pale blue shield on its forehead, the African Jacana is a true beauty of the wetlands. Common across sub-Saharan Africa, these birds are found in areas like Kruger National Park and thrive in shallow pools, lakes, and dams where floating vegetation is abundant. However, they are known to travel up to 300km when these water sources dry up.

💡Dr Pamela Oberem notes, “At Dabchick, the African jacana males are all busy building nests on lily-covered ponds, hoping to attract a female (she is polyandrous). Males incubate eggs and look after young. An iconic feminist bird.”

Known as ‘Jesus birds’ for their ability to seemingly walk on water, their elongated toes allow them to delicately tread on floating vegetation, a unique trait captured in their Afrikaans name, 𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙩𝙤𝙤𝙣 (‘long toe’).

Precocious from birth, jacana chicks leave the nest soon after hatching, with their devoted father attending to them.

🎬 In times of danger, the male will hide the chicks beneath his wings, their long toes peeking through the feathers. 𝑾𝒂𝒕𝒄𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔! youtu.be/Vzi1qNykIu0?si=_qL9t5_PeHWnU8Zy

Throughout the day, jacanas forage for aquatic insects, beetles, dragonflies, crustaceans, molluscs, and even small fish, occasionally plucking seeds or pecking at open wounds on hippos. During the breeding season, which typically spans October to March, their presence becomes even more vibrant as the males guard their nests and young.
@followers
At Dabchick Wildlife Reserve, jacanas are a lively and colourful part of the ecosystem, easily spotted on almost every patch of water with floating vegetation.

🎼 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐬, 𝐒𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐬 & 𝐒𝐧𝐚𝐩𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐬!
ebird.org/species/afrjac1?siteLanguage=en_ZA
📸 Ondrejprosicky

🦆Dabchick Wildlife Reserve offers great bird and other photography opportunities! Book your stay now!
#Birdwatching #Ecotourism

For reservations, contact Anele by email: hospitality@dabchick.co.za
AMES Foundation Dabchick Wildlife Reserve
For more information, visit www.dabchick.co.za

#ConserveWildlife #ProtectBiodiversity #Africa #BirdOfTheMonth #AfricanJacana #Wetlands #DabchickWildlifeReserve #WildlifeConservation #WetlandBirds #ConservationInAction ... See MoreSee Less

Dabchick Wildlife Reserve

4 months ago

𝘿𝘼𝘽𝘾𝙃𝙄𝘾𝙆 𝙒𝙄𝙇𝘿 𝘽𝙄𝙍𝘿𝙎
𝐃𝐖𝐑 𝐁𝐢𝐫𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡!
𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒
𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤-𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐞 (𝙊𝙧𝙞𝙤𝙡𝙪𝙨 𝙡𝙖𝙧𝙫𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙨)
𝐈𝐔𝐂𝐍 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐬: Least Concern

This striking bird dazzles with its vivid golden-yellow plumage, bold black head, and eye-catching pink-orange bill. Often spotted alone or in pairs, the Black-headed Oriole moves gracefully through the treetops, joining mixed-species flocks in search of insects, fruit, and nectar. Its presence is often announced by its rich, melodic “wholeuooo” call, echoing through coastal and riverine forests, broadleaf woodlands, and gardens alike.

A true survivor, the Black-headed Oriole thrives across sub-Saharan Africa, from East to southern Africa, adapting to various habitats, including savanna woodlands, parks, farmlands, and even urban gardens.
Waterberg Biosphere Reserve Waterberg Tourism
In the Waterberg Biosphere, it is a common breeding resident, favouring tall woodlands and fruit-laden trees like fig, or nectar-rich blooms like 𝙎𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙖. Though often hidden high in the canopy, it is unmistakable once heard.
Dabchick Wildlife Reserve
At Dabchick Wildlife Reserve, Dr Pamela Oberem shares, “𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙡𝙖𝙘𝙠-𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙙 𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙤𝙡𝙚 𝙫𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙩𝙨 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙗𝙞𝙧𝙙𝙗𝙖𝙩𝙝 𝙤𝙛𝙩𝙚𝙣, 𝙖 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡𝙮 𝙗𝙞𝙧𝙙 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙖 𝙢𝙚𝙡𝙤𝙙𝙞𝙤𝙪𝙨 𝙘𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙬𝙤𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙛𝙪𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙙𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙚 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙝𝙖𝙗𝙞𝙩𝙨”.
@followers
💡Listen for its enchanting song, and you might just glimpse this golden gem of the canopy!

🎼 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐬, 𝐒𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐬 & 𝐒𝐧𝐚𝐩𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐬!
ebird.org/species/abhori1?siteLanguage=en_ZA
📸 Bernard DuPont

🦆Dabchick Wildlife Reserve offers great bird and other photography opportunities! Book your stay now!
#Birdwatching #Ecotourism

For reservations, contact Anele by email: hospitality@dabchick.co.za
For more information, visit www.dabchick.co.za
#ConserveWildlife #ProtectBiodiversity #Africa ... See MoreSee Less

Dabchick Wildlife Reserve

5 months ago

Dear Followers and Friends,
@followers
We’re pleased to inform you that the technical challenges with our Page have been resolved, thanks to the support from Meta Business. We look forward to continuing our journey with you and celebrating nature together.

💡The white rhinoceros (𝘾𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙪𝙢 𝙨𝙞𝙢𝙪𝙢), also known as the square-lipped rhinoceros, is the largest living species of rhino. At DWR, we are privileged to protect and help restore this iconic species. Once teetering on the brink of extinction, the white rhino has shown signs of recovery, thanks to dedicated conservation efforts. However, poaching remains a grave threat, with South Africa losing nearly 39% of its rhino population to poachers in the last decade. These sobering statistics underscore the urgent need for continued vigilance and innovative conservation strategies to safeguard these majestic creatures.

At Dabchick Wildlife Reserve, we are proud to offer guests the opportunity to experience rhino in the wild 🦏🦏

📸 Keith Collins

For reservations, contact Anele by email: hospitality@dabchick.co.za
AMES Foundation Dabchick Wildlife Reserve

For more information, visit www.dabchick.co.za
#ConserveWildlife #ProtectBiodiversity #Africa ... See MoreSee Less