On The Road – Albatrossity – Ngorongoro Crater 3

Here’s the bliss. Red-billed Oxpecker (Buphagus erythrorynchus) doing a splendid job removing ectoparasites from the ear of a Cape Buffalo. Win-win! Click here for larger image.

We saw plenty of Gray Crowned Cranes (Balearica regulorum) in the crater, and they are an incredibly photogenic species. Here’s a pair parachuting into a wet grassy area, bugling as they descended. I’d seen these guys in zoos several times (you probably have as well), but in the air, calling to each other, they are much more impressive. Click here for larger image.

This was an unexpected sighting, a Gray-hooded Gull (Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus). A close relative of one of my favorite gulls, the Silver Gull/Red-billed Gull (Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae) of New Zealand and Australia (with whom it shares a bright red bill and a bright yellow eye), this species has an unusual distribution. It is found in Sub-Saharan Africa as well as along the eastern and western coasts of South America. Although there is probably not much (if any) gene flow between the African and South American populations, the genetic differences between those disjunct populations are apparently not significant enough to separate them into two different species. Click here for larger image.

In that same marsh we also saw this Whiskered Tern (Chlidonias hybrida), one of four members of genus Chlidonias. These are also known as Marsh Terns, since they live in freshwater marshes rather than along seacoasts. When I finally sighted the Black-fronted Tern (C. albostriatus) in New Zealand in 2019, I completed the Marsh Tern Grand Slam, having seen all four species. At least until some uppity taxonomist decides to mess with this genus again… Click here for larger image.

On the other side of the road from this marsh was a stream that was flowing swiftly and attracting lots of birds, like this Hamerkop (Scopus umbretta). Taxonomically this is an unusual species, as it is the only extant member of the genus Scopus and the family Scopidae. And it certainly looks unusual, with that massive bill and long brown crest. Both of those features undoubtedly contributed to the naming of this “hammerhead” bird. Click here for larger image.

One of the most striking birds at this watering hole, the Yellow-billed Stork (Mycteria ibis) is widely distributed in Africa, and it is a gorgeous creature (especially for a stork!). Like its close relative, the Painted Stork (Mycteria leucocephala) of India and southeast Asia, it has pinkish tones during the breeding season, as well as a bright crimson face. Click here for larger image.

But an even more impressive stork stole the show that day. The Saddle-billed Stork (Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis)  stands 1.5m in height (that’s nearly 5 ft in American), and sports a spectacular tricolored bill and flashing yellow eye. With hot-pink feet and ankle joints for extra credit! Click here for larger image.

The African Spoonbill (Platalea alba) is not nearly as striking as the Saddle-billed Stork, but this was the only time we saw them, so yay! Another lifer! Worldwide there are 6 species of spoonbills, and I’ve only seen 3 of those. Must be time for a road trip. Click here for larger image.

This pretty little duck is the cleverly-named Red-billed Duck (Anas erythrorhyncha), aka Red-billed Teal. Unlike many ducks, in this species the males and females have identical plumage, so we don’t know if this is a boy or a girl. Click here for larger image.

The final bird for today is one that was featured in On The Road a couple of weeks ago, the Kori Bustard (Ardeotis kori). That shot was at some distance; here’s a closeup so that you can appreciate this bird a bit more. Click here for larger image.