Not that I am a birdwatcher, but this one was hard to miss. The bird was on a power cable on the road between Moulay Idris and Fez. And then there is the frog...
The frog had been hiding in amongst the beautiful spring flowers - proof that even the most pleasant surroundings can prove to be only temporary enjoyment!
Tags: Moroccan Morocco Fes, Maghreb news
6 comments:
Samir, well caught! Excellent pictures. Also wonderful photo of Frederic on your previous post!
Samir - what fabulous photos! I'll check on the Bird Forum ...
Norwegian blue?
Wow, impressive photos!
I had to look it up, of course, but I would say that is the Moroccan roller: "a migratory bird that feeds on large insects, spiders, scorpions and small lizards" (Knopf Guide)
Wikipedia entry
The bird is a Lilac Breasted Roller (Coracias caudata) -- quite common throughout Africa, but particularly in Southern Africa. Quite beautiful --
The name comes from their 'performace' when they are mating -- they go hgh up and come tumblig down in a spin - to impress the female --- and anyone else watching!
'The species ranges more or less continuously throughout eastern and southern Africa from the Red Sea coasts of Ethiopia and northwest Somalia to the Angola coast and northern South Africa. Lilac Breasted Rollers inhabit acacia country with well spaced trees, rolling bushy game lands, riverside areas and cultivated land, but they do not associate with human habitation.'
Beautiful plumage!!!
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