The Black Shouldered Kite
Easter Monday began as a bright sunny day here in Cape Town, only to turn dismally cloudy and rainy as the day progressed. This is bad news for the birder as the objects of our interest disappear with every darkening shade of the sky. The birding at Intaka Island on Easter Monday was slow. The herons, a purple, night and grey heron and the noisy hadeda ibises occupied my attention. The smaller birds were around and made their occasional appearance. The day was saved by the visit of the black shouldered kite. It landed on the tree between ponds 4 and 5 just when I was ready to call it a day. This is indeed an awesome example of the species.
The starlings were there in numbers to harass(?) the visitor, despite it showing the least bit of interest in them. I notice that the starlings regularly interact/ interfere with the pair of crows that have taken up resident in the buildings adjacent to Intaka Island. I wonder what is the relationship between them and the big birds.
The kite hung around at Intaka until the weather cleared, re-appeared on a perch overlooking the reception centre and then disappeared. The black shouldered kite is recognised by a patch of black in its shoulder area. It has a set of distinctive eyes that gives it a ferocious look. The black, white charcoal and bluish colour contrasts sharply with its distinctive yellow feet and beak.
I am most honoured by the interest that the game warders(?) employed at Intaka Island have shown in this blog. I therefore dedicate this post to you guys. You are very kind!
Please note that strict copyright exists in these works. They may not be reproduced without my explicit and written consent. Leave a comment in the comments box if you have an i9nterest in any of these items.
The starlings were there in numbers to harass(?) the visitor, despite it showing the least bit of interest in them. I notice that the starlings regularly interact/ interfere with the pair of crows that have taken up resident in the buildings adjacent to Intaka Island. I wonder what is the relationship between them and the big birds.
The kite hung around at Intaka until the weather cleared, re-appeared on a perch overlooking the reception centre and then disappeared. The black shouldered kite is recognised by a patch of black in its shoulder area. It has a set of distinctive eyes that gives it a ferocious look. The black, white charcoal and bluish colour contrasts sharply with its distinctive yellow feet and beak.
I am most honoured by the interest that the game warders(?) employed at Intaka Island have shown in this blog. I therefore dedicate this post to you guys. You are very kind!
Please note that strict copyright exists in these works. They may not be reproduced without my explicit and written consent. Leave a comment in the comments box if you have an i9nterest in any of these items.
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