GREATER STRIPED SWALLOW IN FLIGHT, MARIEVALE BIRD SANCTUARY, JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA

   We can ID this swallow as a Greater Striped Swallow by its relatively short (compared to some other swallows) forked tail, pale underparts (stripes are not noticeable as they would be on a Lesser Striped Swallow) and two tone underwing pattern (pale and dark).

   The Greater Striped Swallow is a new species to our Photographic Life List, which now stands at 342.

YELLOW-BILLED DUCK, MARIEVALE BIRD SANCTUARY, JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA

   We can ID this duck as a Yellow-billed Duck by its yellow bill with a black wedge shaped patch on top and its mottled brown pattern.

   The Yellow-billed Duck is a new species to our Photographic Life List, which now stands at 341.

BREEDING REED CORMORANT, MARIEVALE BIRD SANCTUARY, JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA

   We can ID this Cormorant as a  breeding Reed Cormorant by its barred back, orange face and throat and small erectile crest.

   The Reed Cormorant is a new species to our Photographic Life List, which now stands at 340.

BLACK-HEADED HERON, MARIEVALE BIRD SANCTUARY, JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA

   This heron is unmistakeable as a Black-headed Heron because of the black top of its head and black hind neck contrasting with its white throat.

   The Black-headed Heron is a new species to our Photographic Life List, which now stands at 339.

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BREEDING MALE LONG-TAILED WIDOWBIRD, MARIEVALE BIRD SANCTUARY, JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA

   This breeding male Long-tailed Widowbird is unmistakeable with its very long tail, black overall color, blue bill and bright red shoulder patch bordered with buff.

   The Long-tailed Widowbird is a new species to our Photographic Life List, which now stands at 338.

HOTTENTOT TEAL, MARIEVALE BIRD SANCTUARY, JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA

   We can ID this duck as a Hottentot Teal by its blue bill, dark crown, buffy face and dark smudges extending from near the ear down the neck.

   The Hottentot Teal is a new species to our Photographic Life List, which now stands at 337.



RED-KNOBBED COOT, MARIEVALE BIRD SANCTUARY, JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA

  We can ID this large rail as a Red-knobbed Coot by its  all black color and large white frontal shield with a red knob on top of it.

   The Red-knobbed Coot is a new species to our Photographic Life List, which now stands at 336.