Journey to Kenya-1: Birds, vibrant lives (Summer, 2023). 肯尼亚之旅-1: 鸟类, 绚丽多姿的生命(2023年夏天)

This summer, after a year of planning, our long-awaited trip to Kenya to explore wildlife—especially birds—finally came to fruition. East Africa, where Kenya is located, is home to over 1,400 bird species, including both migratory and endemic species. Although this wasn’t a dedicated bird photography tour, we still managed to observe hundreds of bird species. Whether through the naked eye or a telephoto lens, we watched these vibrant creatures fly, wade, or walk with grace, gentleness, or even fierce determination. Each sighting was captivating, leaving us in awe of nature’s wonders. It’s a feeling that words cannot fully express, and I could only attempt to capture these heartwarming moments with my camera. What I froze in those moments wasn’t just the beauty of the birds but the joy and essence of life itself.

Below are some representative photos I took in several of Kenya’s nature reserves.

经过一年的准备，今年夏天我们终于实现了去肯尼亚观看野生动物，特别是鸟类的愿望。 肯尼亚所在的东非有1,400多种鸟类驻足, 是许多候鸟和非洲特有的鸟的家园。 虽然我们这次不是专门的鸟类摄影团， 但我们仍然观察到了上百种鸟类。通过眼晴或长焦镜头， 我们看到了那些充满激情的生命，以如此优雅、温柔或咄咄逼人的方式飞翔、涉水或行走，令人赏心悦目; 同时我们也感叹大自然的奇妙。这种感觉无法用语言描述，我也只能用相机捕捉这些令人心动的那瞬间。这些瞬间凝固的不只是鸟儿的展现，而是生命的喜悦和永恒。

以下是我在肯尼亚几个自然保护区拍摄的一些代表性的照片。

The Lilac-breasted Roller (Coracias caudatus) is a dazzling bird lived in sub-Saharan Africa including Kenya. It boasts a medium-sized body with striking plumage, featuring lilac-pink underparts, a blue throat, cobalt-blue crown, and turquoise and blue wings. Known for its aerial prowess, it performs captivating flight displays during courtship and territorial disputes. Their melodious chirps and trills add to their charm. They nest in tree hollows and inhabit diverse environments, from woodlands to savannas, and feed on insects and small vertebrates. and are iconic symbols of Africa’s vibrant avian life.

Because it is so dazzling, Lilac-breasted Roller is revered as one of the national birds of Kenya (the rooster is another) and is also the unofficial national bird of Botswana.

紫胸佛法僧(罗鹬)（Coracias caudatus)是一种生活在非洲撒哈拉以南（包括肯尼亚）漂亮的飞鸟。

它体型中等，羽毛引人注目，淡紫色的下体，蓝色的喉咙，钴蓝色的王冠以及绿松石色和蓝色的翅膀。 它有很强的空中能力，在求偶和领地争端时会表现出进行高超的飞行水平。 它的魅力还来自于其悠扬的鸣叫声和颤音。

它们在树洞中筑巢，栖息在林地到疏林草原的不同环境中，以捕食昆虫和小型脊椎动物为生。 它是非洲魅力四射绚丽多姿的鸟类的象征。

正因为它如此光彩夺目，紫胸佛法僧被尊为肯尼亚的国鸟之一（公鸡是另一种），也是博茨瓦纳非正式的国鸟。

The Grey crowned crane (Balearica regulorum) is a striking and iconic bird native to eastern and southern Africa. Standing about 3 feet tall, it is known for its distinctive appearance, featuring a grey body, white wings with black tips, and a striking crown of golden feathers atop its head. These regal birds inhabit wetlands, grasslands, and savannas, using their long legs and necks to forage for insects, small vertebrates, and plant matter. They are highly social, often seen in pairs or small groups, and engage in elaborate courtship dances characterized by graceful leaps and calls. Unfortunately, they face threats from habitat loss and poaching。 In 2012 it was uplisted from vulnerable to endangered bird by the IUCN.

灰冠鹤（Balearica regulorum)原产于非洲东部和南部, 是非常引人注目的标志性鸟类。它外观独特，灰色的身体、带有黑色尖端的白色翅膀，头顶有一顶引人注目的金色羽毛王冠， 站高约 3 英尺。

这种富丽堂皇的鸟类栖息在湿地、草原和疏林草原上，利用它们的长腿和脖子来捕食昆虫、小型脊椎动物和植物。 它们具有高度社交性，经常成对或小群出现，求爱时的舞蹈精心设计，优雅的跳跃和鸣叫声是其特证。

不幸的是，它们面临着栖息地丧失和偷猎的威胁。 2012年，它被世界自然保护联盟从易危升级为濒危动物。

The Grey-headed kingfisher (Halcyon leucocephala) is a captivating bird found across sub-Saharan Africa. This striking avian species boasts a vibrant appearance, featuring a deep blue-green back, wings, and tail, contrasting with a grey head and white throat. With an average length of around 20 centimeters, these kingfishers are relatively small, yet their plumage makes them stand out in their lush, wooded habitats. Renowned for their expert fishing skills, they hunt primarily along riverbanks, lakeshores, and ponds, swooping down to catch fish and aquatic insects with remarkable precision. Their distinctive calls echo through the forest, adding to the charm of encountering these remarkable birds in the wild.

This bird also once existed in China。 In Qing dynasty, the beautiful feathers were used for decorate in the hats or hairstyles by wealthy women.

​灰头翠鸟 (Halcyon leucocephala) 是一种遍布撒哈拉以南非洲迷人的鸟类。 这种特别的鸟类拥有鲜艳的外观，有深蓝绿色的背部、翅膀和尾巴，与灰色的头部和白色的喉咙形成相得益彰。

这些翠鸟的平均长度约为 20 厘米，体型相对较小，但它们的羽毛使它们在茂密的树木繁茂的栖息地中一目了然。

他们捕鱼技巧高超，主要沿着河岸、湖岸和池塘捕猎，以惊人的精确度俯冲捕捉鱼类和水生昆虫。 它们的叫声独特， 林子里回声响亮，吸引人们去寻找这些不同凡响的鸟类。

这种鸟也曾经在中国存在过。在清代，美丽的羽毛被富家妇女用来装饰帽子或发型。

The Malachite kingfisher (Corythornis cristatus) is a petite river kingfisher native to sub-Saharan Africa. Measuring about 13 centimeters in length, it boasts brilliant azure and emerald plumage, with a striking red bill. It is often found near water, but not quite as dependent on water as other African species.

孔雀石翠鸟（Corythornis cristatus）是一种小型河边翠鸟，原产于撒哈拉以南非洲。 它身长约 13 厘米，拥有明亮的天蓝色和翠绿色的羽毛，以及引人注目的红色喙。 它经常在水附近发现，但不像其它非洲物种那样依赖水。

The Superb starling (Lamprotornis superbus) is a colorful bird native to East Africa. Characterized by its glossy iridescent blue and orange plumage, it’s a striking sight. Living in open woodlands and savannas, it often gathers in large flocks, showcasing their vibrant colors and engaging in vocal displays of whistles and chattering calls. Their adaptability to urban environments has made them a common sight in East African cities.

超级八哥（Lamprotornis superbus）是一种原产于东非的色彩缤纷的鸟类。 它的特点是有光泽的虹彩蓝色和橙色羽毛，非常引人注目。

它生活在开阔的林地和稀树草原上，经常聚集成大群，展示它们鲜艳的色彩，并发出口哨声和喋喋不休的叫声。 它们对环境适应能力很强，在东非城市周围随处可见。

The Yellow-billed Oxpecker (Buphagus africanus) is a bird species, known for its mutualistic relationship with large mammals, such as rhinos and buffaloes. It has a distinct yellow beak, a brown or gray back, and a white belly. The beak is large, the claws are sharp and curved, and the tail is full of feathers and very stiff. The species has two types, the red-billed oxpecker and the yellow-billed oxpecker, both of which have golden eyes. It can peck open the animal’s skin. While drinking its blood and eating its flesh, the bird pick up parasites and ticks in the wound. When an enemy of its symbiotic animal comes to attack, the bird will fly up and down and continuously cry to alert it until the animal realizes the danger coming.

黄嘴啄木鸟（Buphagus africanus）是非洲的鸟类，以与犀牛和水牛等大型哺乳动物的互惠关系而闻名。它有明显的黄色喙，背面呈褐色或灰色，腹部为白色。鸟嘴很大，爪子锋利而弯曲，尾巴长满羽毛，十分硬挺。

牛椋鸟分为两种，即红嘴牛椋鸟和黄嘴牛椋鸟，都长有金黄色眼睛。它会啄开动物的皮肤，饮其血，食其肉，也会顺便抓起伤口中的寄生虫和扁虱。

牛椋鸟会在其共生动物的敌人前来偷袭时，飞上飞下，叫个不停，提醒它注意，直到动物意识到危险来临。

The name of the Greater Blue-eared Starling (Lamprotornis chalybaeus) is derived from the vibrant blue ear coverts that adorn its head. This medium-sized starling showcases iridescent plumage with a remarkable blend of electric blue and green hues, often with hints of violet and chestnut. The birds are highly adaptable, making them a common sight in a variety of habitats, including woodlands, grasslands, and savannas. They are known for their melodious calls and unique social behavior, often forming flocks that create a mesmerizing spectacle of color and sound in the African landscape.

大蓝耳椋鸟 (Lamprotornis chalybaeus) 的名字源自其头部色彩鲜艳的蓝色耳罩。 这种中等体型的椋鸟展现出虹彩般的羽毛，电蓝色和绿色色调的完美融合，通常带有淡淡的紫罗兰色和栗色。

这些鸟类的适应性很强，可以在各种栖息地包括林地、草原和稀树草原中很容易见到。 它们以其悠扬的叫声和独特的社交行为而闻名，经常成群结队，在非洲大地上营造出声色奇观。

The Rüppell’s Starling(Lamprotornis purpuroptera) goes by various names, including Rueppell’s Glossy-Starling or Rueppell’s Long-tailed Starling. Indigenous to the arid regions of East Africa. This bird is characterized by its striking iridescent plumage, displaying a glossy purple-blue hue on its body and long tail feathers. These starlings are highly social, often found in flocks, and their vocalizations consist of a mix of melodious whistles and calls. They primarily feed on fruits, insects, and nectar, contributing to seed dispersal and pollination in their ecosystem.

鲁佩尔椋鸟（Lamprotornis purpuroptera）有多种名称，包括鲁佩尔光泽椋鸟或鲁佩尔长尾椋鸟。 原产于东非干旱地区。 这种鸟的特点是其引人注目的彩虹色羽毛，身体和长尾羽呈现出光泽的紫蓝色调。

这些椋鸟具有高度群居性，经常成群结队，它们的声音由口哨声和叫声组成， 极其悠扬动听。 鲁佩尔椋鸟主要以水果、昆虫和花蜜为食，有助于生态系统中的种子传播和授粉。

The Blue-breasted Bee-eater (Merops variegatus) is characterized by its stunning plumage, it boasts vibrant emerald-green upperparts, a striking blue throat and breast, and a long, pointed, black beak. These medium-sized bee-eaters primarily feed on flying insects, including bees and wasps, which they catch in mid-air with incredible precision. Blue-breasted bee-eaters are often found in savannas, woodlands, and open areas, where they nest in burrows dug into riverbanks.

蓝胸食蜂鸟（Merops variegatus）的特点是其令人惊叹的羽毛，它色彩鲜艳的翠绿色上半身，引人注目的蓝色喉咙和胸部，以及长而尖的黑色喙。 这些中型蜂虎主要以飞行昆虫包括蜜蜂和黄蜂为食，它们在半空中以令人难以置信的精确度捕获这些昆虫。

蓝胸食蜂鸟通常在稀树草原、林地和开阔地区河岸上开挖的洞穴筑巢。

The Taita Fiscal (Lanius dorsalis), also known as the Taita Fiscal Shrike, is a small and distinctive bird species native to the Taita Hills in southeastern Kenya. Measuring around 20 centimeters in length, it exhibits sexually dimorphic plumage. Males are predominantly black with a white patch on their wings and a long, narrow tail, while females have a brownish-gray back with a white belly.

Taita Fiscals inhabit montane forests and shrublands, where they feed primarily on insects and occasionally small vertebrates. They are known for their sharp, hooked bills, which they use to capture prey. Unfortunately, these birds are considered vulnerable due to habitat destruction and habitat fragmentation in their limited range, making conservation efforts crucial for their survival.

泰塔伯劳 (Lanius dorsalis)，也称为泰塔伯劳鸟，是一种小型而独特的鸟类，原产于肯尼亚东南部的泰塔山。 它身长约20厘米，具有两性异形的羽毛。 雄性主要为黑色，翅膀上有白色斑点，尾巴又长又窄，而雌性则有棕灰色的背部和白色的腹部。

泰塔伯劳栖息在山地森林和灌木丛中，主要以昆虫为食，偶尔也以小型脊椎动物为食。 它们有出名的锋利、带钩的喙，用来捕捉猎物。

不幸的是，由于栖息地破坏和在它们本以有限的栖息范围内人为分割，这些鸟类的生存在环境已认为很脆弱，因此加强保护对于它们的生存至关重要。

the Kalahari Scrub Robin (Cercotricha paena) is a small bird species native to the Kalahari Desert in southern Africa. It features a subdued, brownish plumage and a pale eye ring. These solitary birds are often seen hopping on the ground in search of insects and small invertebrates. Their song is a melodious series of whistles.

喀拉哈里灌木知更鸟 (Cercotricha paena) 是一种原产于南部非洲喀拉哈里沙漠的小型鸟类。 它的特点是柔和的棕色羽毛和浅色眼环。 人们经常看到这些孤独的鸟类在地面上跳跃，寻找昆虫和小型无脊椎动物。 一系列悠扬的口哨声是他们的歌曲。

The long-toed lapwing (Vanellus crassirostris) has striking appearance features a black crown and nape, white face, and neck, contrasted by a black breastband and white belly. However, its most distinguishing feature is its unusually long, bright yellow legs and toes, which can exceed 10 centimeters in length. These specialized toes enable it to traverse marshes and muddy habitats with ease, where it searches for insects and small invertebrates in the substrate.

长趾鸻 (Vanellus crassirostris) 引人注目的外观是黑色的冠和颈背、白色的脸和脖子，与黑色的胸带和白色的腹部形成鲜明对比。 然而，它最显着的特征是异常长、亮黄色的腿和脚趾，长度可以超过10厘米。 这些特殊的脚趾使其能够轻松穿越沼泽和泥泞的栖息地，在泥浆中寻找昆虫和小型无脊椎动物。

The collared pratincole (Glareola pratincola) is a migratory bird species. These skilled fliers undertake long-distance migrations, wintering in sub-Saharan Africa. Found in Europe, Asia, and Africa, it primarily inhabits open grasslands and wetlands, where it hunts insects on the wing. It features a distinctive black collar around its neck, a white belly, and long wings.

领燕鸻 (Glareola pratincola) 是一种候鸟。这种技术娴熟的飞鸟长途迁徙，在撒哈拉以南非洲越冬。 它分布于欧洲、亚洲和非洲，主要栖息在开阔的草原和湿地，用翅膀捕食昆虫。

它的特征是脖子上有一个独特的黑色项圈、白色的腹部和长翅膀。

The spur-winged lapwing (Vanellus spinosus) is found in various parts of Africa, the Middle East, and southern Europe. It has a black crown, white face, and neck, contrasted by a black breastband and a conspicuous, bright yellow facial wattling with a red eye ring. Its name derives from the sharp, spiky spur on its wings, which it uses to defend its territory. Spur-winged lapwings are often seen in wetlands, grasslands, and agricultural areas, where they feed on insects and small invertebrates.

短翅鸻 (Vanellus spinosus)分布于非洲、中东和南欧各地。 它有黑色的王冠、白色的脸和脖子，与黑色的胸带和明显的亮黄色面部肉垂和红色眼圈形成鲜明对比。 它的名字来源于翅膀上尖锐的刺，它用它来保卫自己的领地。

短翅鸻常见于湿地、草原和农业区，以昆虫和小型无脊椎动物为食。

The crowned lapwing (Vanellus coronatus) is a species endemic to sub-Saharan Africa. Its name is derived from the beautiful crown of black feathers adorning its head. This lapwing boasts a distinctive appearance with white plumage on its face, neck, and underparts, sharply contrasting against a black breastband and crown. Crowned lapwings prefer open grasslands, savannas, wetlands, and agricultural areas, often near water sources. During the breeding season, they construct shallow ground nests and use vocalizations and displays to protect their territory.

冠鸻（Vanellus coronatus）是撒哈拉以南非洲的本土物种。 它的名字来源于它头上装饰着美丽的黑色羽毛冠。 这种鸟类拥有独特的外观，面部、颈部和下体有白色羽毛，与黑色胸带和头冠形成鲜明对比。

冠田鸡喜欢开阔的草原、稀树草原、湿地和农业区，通常靠近水源。 在繁殖季节，它们会在浅地面筑巢，利用发声和展示来保护自己的领地。

The Senegal lapwing (Vanellus lugubris) exhibits a striking black crown and nape, white face and neck, and black breastband. Its distinctive feature is its bright red eyes, adding to its allure. These lapwings prefer wetlands, grasslands, and riverbanks, often found near water sources. Their foraging behavior involves searching for insects, small invertebrates, and seeds in the muddy substrate. The Senegal lapwing’s vocalizations include a melodious “pee-pee-pee” call.

塞内加尔鸻 (Vanellus lugubris) 拥有引人注目的黑色头冠和颈背、白色面部和颈部以及黑色胸带。 它的显着特征是明亮的红色眼睛，增添了它的魅力。

这些鸟喜欢靠近水源的地方， 包括湿地、草原和河岸。它们在泥泞的泥土中的觅食， 寻找昆虫、小型无脊椎动物和种子。 塞内加尔鸻的叫声悠扬，发出类似“pee-pee-pee” 的声音。

The blacksmith lapwing (Vanellus armatus), also known as the blacksmith plover, is native to sub-Saharan Africa. Its name derives from its distinctive metallic call, which resembles the sound of a blacksmith’s hammer striking an anvil. This medium-sized lapwing has a black head, white face, and chestnut-brown wings. Blacksmith lapwings are often found near water sources like wetlands, rivers, and lakes, where they forage for insects and small invertebrates in the mud and shallow waters. They are known for their bold and noisy behavior, vigorously defending their territories and nests from potential threats.

铁匠鸻(Vanellus armatus)原产于撒哈拉以南非洲。 它的名字来源于它独特的金属叫声，类似于铁匠的锤子敲击铁砧的声音。 这种中等体型的鸟有黑色的头、白色的脸和栗棕色的翅膀。

铁匠鸻经常出现在湿地、河流和湖泊等水源附近，它们在泥浆和浅水中寻找昆虫和小型无脊椎动物。 它们以其大胆而吵闹的行为，积极保卫自己的领地和巢穴免受潜在威胁而闻名。

The African wattled lapwing (Vanellus senegallus), also known as Senegal wattled plover , boasts a striking combination of black and white plumage with a prominent red facial wattle and a yellow eye-ring. These warts, or wattles, give the bird its name. African wattled lapwings inhabit grasslands, wetlands, and savannas. They are known for their loud and incessant “peep-peep” calls, which are used to defend territories and communicate with other lapwings. These birds primarily feed on insects and small invertebrates, often foraging in muddy areas and wet grasslands.

非洲肉垂鸻 (Vanellus senegallus)，也被称为塞内加尔垂鸻，拥有引人注目的黑白羽毛组合、突出的红色面部肉垂和黄色眼环。 这种鸟因这些疣或肉垂而得名。它们以响亮且持续不断的“呜呜”叫声而闻名，这种叫声用于保卫领地并与其他鸻交流。

非洲肉垂鸻栖息于草原、湿地和稀树草原。 这些鸟类经常在泥泞地区和潮湿的草原上觅食， 主要捕捉昆虫和小型无脊椎动物为生。

The African jacana (Actophilornis africanus), often simply called the “jacana,” is native to sub-Saharan Africa. It has elongated toes, which enable it to walk on floating vegetation. This bird is often referred to as the “Jesus bird” due to its apparent ability to “walk on water.” Jacanas have striking plumage, with a chestnut body, black wings, and a white face and neck. They inhabit freshwater wetlands, swamps, and ponds, where they forage for aquatic insects, invertebrates, and plant material.

非洲雉鴴 （长脚雉鸻，非洲水雉）（Actophilornis africanus）通常简称为“水雉”，原产于撒哈拉以南非洲。 它的细长脚趾使得它能够在漂浮的植被上行走。 这种鸟通常被称为“耶稣鸟”，因为它具有“在水上行走”的显著能力。 水雉有着引人注目的羽毛，栗色的身体，黑色的翅膀，白色的脸和脖子。

它们栖息在淡水湿地、沼泽和池塘中，以水生昆虫、无脊椎动物和植物材料为食。

The secretary bird (Sagittarius serpentarius), also known as the snake vulture, snake vulture, crane vulture and snake-catching vulture, is a large and terrestrial raptor endemic to Africa. It inhabits the grasslands and savannahs of sub-Saharan Africa. Its name, secretary bird, comes from resemblance of a secretary with a quill in her ear. Another theory is that the English word “secretary” is a French misusing from the Arabic word “hunting bird”.  This bird has eagle-like head and crane-like legs.  Prey includes insects, rabbits, lizards, snakes, rats, frogs, baby birds and bird eggs, and sometimes even dead animals. The bird has long been valued in Africa for its striking appearance and ability to handle pests and snakes. The Heraldry of South Africa and Sudan has the symbol of this bird symbol, telling its highly valued status.

秘书鸟 （Sagittarius serpentarius），又名蛇鹫、猎蛇鹫、鹤鹫和捕蛇鹫，是一种非洲特有的大型及陆生的猛禽，一般栖息在撒哈拉以南非洲的草原及大草原。蛇鹫之所谓秘书鸟，是因其冠像以往秘书把羽毛笔放在耳上的姿态。另一说法是指英文「秘书」一词是来自阿拉伯文「猎鸟」的法文讹用。

蛇鹫的身体像鹰，脚像鹤。猎物包括昆虫、兔、蜥蜴、蛇、鼠、蛙、幼鸟及鸟蛋，有时甚至会吃动物尸体。

由于蛇鹫突出的外表及处理害虫和蛇的能力，它们在非洲一直都被受推崇。在南非及苏丹的纹章上是有蛇鹫标志， 可见其地位。

The white-browed sparrow-weaver (Plocepasser mahali) is a sociable and highly social bird species found in southern Africa. Its name is derived from the distinctive white stripe above its eye. These small, brownish birds are known for their intricate, communal nests, which resemble large haystacks and serve as communal homes for multiple individuals. They are often seen foraging on the ground for seeds and insects. White-browed sparrow-weavers exhibit a complex social structure within their colonies, with designated individuals responsible for defense and maintenance of their unique nests.

白眉织雀（Plocepasser mahali）是一种生活在南部非洲的群居性和高度社会性的鸟类。 它的名字来源于它眼睛上方独特的白色条纹。

这些褐色的小鸟以其复杂的公共巢穴而闻名，巢穴类似于大干草堆，可作为多个个体的公共住所。 人们经常看到它们在地面上寻找种子和昆虫。

白眉织雀在其群体中表现出复杂的社会结构，每个个体有负责防御和维护巢穴等其独特的功能。

The Cape sparrow, also known as the mossie (Passer melanurus), is a charming bird species endemic to southern Africa. Recognized by its distinctive appearance, males boast striking plumage with chestnut crowns and napes, black throats, and white cheeks. In contrast, females have plainer, more subdued coloring. These sparrows are highly adaptable and have successfully integrated into urban environments, where they thrive on a diet of seeds, insects, and scraps.

开普麻雀，也称为苔雀（Passer melanurus），是南部非洲特有的迷人鸟类。 雄性有独特的外观，引人注目的羽毛，栗色的头冠和颈背、黑色的喉咙和白色的脸颊。 相比之下，雌性的体色更朴素、更柔和。

这些麻雀适应性极强，已成功融入城市环境里，能以种子、昆虫和残渣为食，种群兴盛。

Speke’s weaver (Ploceus spekei) is a familiar East African songbird, named after the famous British explorer John Hanning Speke, and notable for its distinctive appearance and weaving skills, They exhibit sexual dimorphism: males have striking black and yellow plumage, while females are more subtly colored with streaked brown and yellow. Speke’s weavers can make intricate, gourd-shaped nests, meticulously woven from grass and often found hanging from acacia trees. These communal nests serve as both breeding and roosting sites.

斯皮克织雀（Ploceus spekei）是一种常见的东非鸣鸟，冠以英国著名探险家约翰·汉宁·斯皮克的名字，以其独特的外观和编织技艺而闻名。 此种织雀的外形依性别不同而迥异：雄性具有引人注目的黑色和黄色羽毛，而雌性则具有更微妙的棕色和黄色条纹。

斯皮克织雀可以用草精心编织出复杂的葫芦形巢穴，挂在金合欢树上。 这些公共巢穴既可以作为生儿育女的地方，也可以作为日常栖息地。

The White-headed Buffalo-Weaver (Dinemellia dinemelli) is native to arid regions of East Africa. It has distinctive white head, black body, and bright red eyes. These social birds are known for their complex communal nests, which can house multiple pairs in a cooperative breeding arrangement. They forage on the ground for seeds, insects, and fruits, often in small flocks. With a preference for acacia-rich habitats, these weavers play a important role in seed dispersal and ecosystem maintenance.

白头水牛织雀(Dinemellia dinemelli)原生于东非干旱地区。 它有独特的白色头部、黑色身体和鲜红色的眼睛。 已知这些群居鸟类构建复杂的公共巢穴, 安排容纳多对鸟类以利合作繁殖。 它们在地面上寻找种子、昆虫和水果，通常成小群出行。

这些织雀偏爱金合欢(刺槐)繁茂的栖息地，对种子传播和维护生态系统维护有着重要作用。

The Speckled Mousebird (Colius striatus) is a distinctive bird found in sub-Saharan Africa. Sporting a long, tailless body, it exhibits a mottled plumage of gray and brown, adorned with striking white speckles. Its name derives from its mouse-like appearance and its gregarious nature, often seen in small, chattering groups. Primarily herbivorous, this avian species feeds on fruits, berries, and leaves, contributing to seed dispersal in its ecosystem. Renowned for their unique “climbing” behavior, they use their prehensile feet to navigate branches, resembling small primates.

斑鼠鸟（Colius striatus）是一种在撒哈拉以南非洲发现的独特鸟类。 它身体长而无尾，羽毛呈灰色和棕色斑驳，并饰有醒目的白色斑点。 它的名字来源于它像老鼠的外表和群居的天性，经常叽叽喳喳以小群体出没。

这种鸟类主要是草食性的，以水果、浆果和树叶为食，有助于种子在其生态系统中的传播。 它们的“攀爬”行为非常独特，可以像小型灵长类动物一样用可抓握的脚在树枝上游逛。

The fork-tailed drongo (Dicrurus adsimilis), is also called the common drongo or African drongo，found in Africa south of the Sahara. It features distinctive thin forked tails, reddish-brown eyes, and a glossy black plumage. Its habitants include woodlands and savannas. Their vocal repertoire mimics the calls of other birds, insects, and even mammals to deceive and deter potential predators or attract insects for an easy meal. These birds often perches near larger animals to snatch insects disturbed by their movements. Their cooperative behavior extends to forming mixed-species foraging flocks.

叉尾唐戈（Dicrurus adsimilis）也被称为美洲黄芩或非洲黄芩, 居住在撒哈拉以南非洲。 该物种的物理特征是细细的叉状尾巴、红棕色的眼睛和全身黑色的羽毛。

它栖息于树木繁茂的栖息地，特别是森林和稀树草原。 它们模仿其他鸟类、昆虫甚至哺乳动物的叫声来欺骗和阻止潜在的捕食者或吸引昆虫作为一顿美餐。 这些鸟经常栖息在较大的动物附近，捕捉受到其活动干扰的昆虫。 它们与其它动物合作，可以组成混合物种， 一起觅食。