African Species
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Results 1 - 25 of 28
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Abyssinian Blue-winged Goose (Cyanochen cyanopterus)
Named for pale, powder-blue wing patches that are seldom visible on the closed wing.
Tiny range in the highlands of Ethiopia.
Although capable swimmers, little time is spent in the...
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African Black Duck (Anas sparsa)
Lives in Central and Southern Africa
Also known as the Black African duck, Ethiopian duck or the West African black duck
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African grey parrot (Psittacus erithacus)
Regarded by some experts as one of the most intelligent birds.
One of the most heavily traded species of birds.
Inhabit the rainforests of West and Central Africa.
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African Pygmy-Goose (Nettapus auritus)
The goose-like bill is responsible for its common name.
Smallest, most beautiful African waterfowl.
Nests primarily in elevated tree cavities.
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African White-backed Duck (Thalassornis leuconotus)
Reluctant fliers, these ducks are rarely observed in flight.
They often swim with their long neck held erect, but they also float in a hunched position.
Their relatively large...
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African Yellow-Billed Duck (Anas undulata)
Breeding can occur any time of year, but normally at the peak of the onset of local rains when invertebrate food for the ducklings is most available
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Black Spur-winged Goose (Plectropterus gambensis)
Largest African waterfowl
The male is larger than the female and has a large red facial patch that extends back from the bill.
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Blue-crowned pigeon (Goura cristata)
On the threatened species list
Male and female look alike but the male is larger.
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Cape Shelduck (Tadorna cana)
Gray headed drakes are easily distinguished from their white headed mates.
Named after the Cape of Good Hope, South Africa.
May nest in aardvark, springhare or porcupine burrows.
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Cape shoveler (Anas smithii)
A dabbling duck from South Africa
Non-migratory but forms large flocks during breeding season.
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East African crowned crane (Balearica regulorum gibbericeps)
National bird of Uganda
One of the only cranes that can roost in trees
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Egyptian goose (Alopochen aegyptiacus)
Known to pair for life.
Thought to be in the duck, goose and swan families.
Considered to be sacred by the ancient Egyptians.
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Hartlaub’s Duck (Pteronetta hartlaubi)
A little-known virgin rain forest species.
Possibly forms life-long pair-bonds.
Threatened in the wild and scarce in collections, with most reared at Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Park.
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Hottentot Teal (Anas hottentota)
Among the smallest of African waterfowl, weighing a mere 7.7 ounces.
Tends to seek concealment in vegetation if disturbed rather than fly.
Nests any time or year if conditions are suitable.
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Lady Ross's Turaco (Musophaga rossae)
Also known as the Violet Plantain-eater, these birds get their remarkable color from the presence of two copper pigments in their plumage, that is unique to this genus. Contrary to popular belief, the...
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Lesser Flamingo (Phoenicopterus minor)
Primarily found in the Great Rift Valley.
Has much more black on the bill than the Greater Flamingo.
Most abundant species of Flamingo
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Madagascar Teal (Anas bernieri)
A Madagascar endemic, it ranks among the rarest of birds- possibly as few as 100-500 remain in the wild.
Was first bred in America at Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Park.
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Old World Comb Duck (Sarkidiornis melanotos sylvicola)
Named for the fatty comb atop the drake’s bill
Inhabits the tropics of both the Old and New Worlds
Commonly perches in trees and typically nests in cavities 20-30’ above the...
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Red-billed Pintail (Anas erythrorhynchos)
May feed in crop fields at night
Tends to be nomadic when not breeding, traveling as much as 1000 miles in the dry season
Population may exceed 1.3 million
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Silvery-cheeked hornbill (Bycanistes brevis)
Known for its cream colored cask on its beak
The male will actually seal the female in a tree with mud to protect her and the eggs during nesting.
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Southern (African) Pochard (Netta erythrophthalma)
Occurs in both African and South America
Drakes have bright red eyes
Breeding coincides with the end of the local rainy season
May nest in an aardvark burrows.
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Spur-winged Lapwing (Vanellus spinosus)
Also known as the spur-winged plover, this small bird feeds primarily on insects (esp. beetles), spiders, crustaceons, small fish, tadpoles and adult frogs.
As in most lapwing species, this bird...
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Vulturine guineafowl (Acryllium vulturinum)
Blue and white feathers are called hackles.
This is a ground bird, who is very protective over his family.
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West African Crowned Crane (Balearica pavonina)
This bird's distinctive crest resembles hair, but actually consists of modified feathers. Unlike other cranes, crowned cranes commonly roost in trees. They prefer the wetland...
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