"birding" fun - Page 139

**whulsey** · #**1381** 03-14-2021, 11:14 AM

Kevin, some great colors on that bird.

**Kevin WS** · #**1382** 03-14-2021, 11:28 AM

They are lovely. The chest colour is also turquoise blue - but unfortunately, the colour is not visible in the photo because of the shadow.

I waited a while for him to move so I could get a better shot, but when he did move he left!

**Kevin WS** · #**1383** 03-20-2021, 02:55 PM

On to the next - a Blacksmith Lapwing on the edge of a large pool.

So-called because of its call - which sounds (really) exactly like a blacksmiths hammer on a steel anvil!

A resident of Southern Africa, it feeds on crustaceans, molluscs, worms and insects.

A couple of interesting things...

* They have a habit of stamping and trembling their feet in the water to activate their prey and get them to rise.

* They are also subject to Falcon and Eagle attacks but repel these by adopting aposematic displays. This is when they spread their wings out, down and forward.

* They nest on the ground. If the eggs are overheating the Lapwings go into the water and wet their bellies and then go back to cool the eggs (usually 3-4). Called "Belly Wetting".

* If the eggs get attacked by safari ants, they pick them up and dunk them in water - which removes the ants easily. Ants have a small body mass so they rise to the waters surface where they get "locked" by surface tension.

**Kevin WS** · #**1384** 03-21-2021, 02:18 PM

Next up - a Lilac Breasted Roller.

An insectivorous resident. Also eats small snakes, birds, rodents and frogs.

Monogamous and fiercely territorial.

**rmks2000** · #**1385** 03-21-2021, 04:38 PM

The lapwing is an interesting bird. I was not aware of its capabilities.

**Don Boose** · #**1386** 03-21-2021, 06:07 PM

More very beautiful birds!

No lapwings in North America usually, although I have heard of some being blown in from time to time.

The lovely lilac-breasted roller was previously unknown to me. Seems to be found only in Sub-Saharan Africa (with occasional brief forays into the southern Arabian Peninsula). What colors!

Don

**birder** · #**1387** 03-22-2021, 11:01 AM

Very cool birds Kevin

That Lapwing pic is really sharp. We've been seeing a few more birds here as early spring now..

**Vermin_King** · #**1388** 03-22-2021, 11:24 AM

Coincidence. I pulled this thread up and all of a sudden there was a horrible ruckus outside. An owl was being harried by a couple ravens and a red-tailed hawk. She ended up in a cedar tree. The ravens got bored and left but the hawk is making a racket trying to get her to move

**Vermin_King** · #**1389** 03-23-2021, 08:20 AM

She really needs to sit on her nest more. I doubt we will have another Barney this year.

**Bob Penikas** · #**1390** 03-23-2021, 08:36 PM

These snap shots may be of some interest.

Happened to have my camera handy yesterday when drinking coffee out on the patio.

California birds are not a colorful bunch compared to the ones back in New England where I grew up. They still though are fun to watch and I enjoy their visits.

BP