PIED AVOCET, MARIEVALE BIRD SANCTUARY, JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA

    We can ID these waders as Pied Avocets by their black and white pattern, very long and thin upturned bill and long blue legs (see second photo).
   The Pied Avocet is a new species to our Photographic Life List, which now stands at 344.

GREATER FLAMINGOS, MARIEVALE BIRD SANCTUARY, JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA

   We can ID these flamingos as Greater Flamingos by their large size and large pink bill with black tip, which is diagnostic.  Also the Greater Flamingo has much more white and much less pink than the Lesser Flamingo.

   The Greater Flamingo is a new species to our Photographic Life List, which now stands at 343.

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.