Mousebirds

Mousebirds 1

Haiku 187

What could be more fun

Than hanging out together

Solidarity!

.

These chaps were happy hanging out on the edge of the old concrete bird bath, even staying put when other birds came to use the actual bird bath!

Mousebirds 2

I’ve been trying to capture a good shot of these White-backed Mousebirds for a long while. I hear them chirping in the trees and often see them fly overhead, when their magnificent long tails are clearly visible, but they are far too swift for me to take a photo.

I’ve snapped shots of them in the syringa tree. I know they are there as I can hear them and see the leaves moving, but they are hardly visible when I look at my photos later on my laptop, even when enlarged. This is because they tend to roost almost vertically against an upright branch and so blend in very well, their long tails in line with the branch.

So I was pleased to see them hanging out here for a while, even if they are still blurred because I can’t zoom any closer!

 

Such is the pressure of English Grammar that I am sorely tempted to call these two Mouse Birds, Mice Birds!

 

17 thoughts on “Mousebirds”

  7. Murphy's Law

    What an incredible shot you captured! Beautiful birds. You recently did a post on Mouse Birds and I was blown away by their long tails and head tufts. You get some incredible visitors!

    Hope you are all well in Cape Town. You mentioned Covid-19 had arrived. Our news hasn’t reported anything about SA. Stay well. Stay safe. Stay home!
    🐾Ginger 🐾

    Liked by 1 person

    1. scifihammy Post author

      Aw Thank you so much 😀 Glad you liked these unusual birds. 🙂
      We are so lucky to spend Lockdown in a house with a garden to sit in. I really feel for those crammed in small rooms with no view and not allowed to go out for a walk. 😦

      Yes, Coronavirus is here in SA. It won’t make word news, as not many confirmed cases yet – 1505 and 7 deaths so far. I am sure many more are infected but just not tested as yet.
      It is still very early days here and I hope that our stringent Lockdown may slow the progression.
      I see the numbers rising daily in Northern countries – Italy and Spain particularly have a high death rate.
      You and yours too – Keep Safe. 🙂

      Like

  9. Wellness Garden Design

    Those are pretty cool birds! Love the long tails, don’t tend to see that feature in birds by me.
    How are you guys down there?
    We have to stay home till 4/30.
    I’m curious how it’s doing in a warm place… As ‘they’ say, (like flu) the heat will kill it…….. 🤔

    Liked by 2 people

    1. scifihammy Post author

      Thank you 🙂 I also like the long tails, tho the best I saw were in Johannesburg – Widah birds with massively long tail plumes – the males could hardly fly!
      Our Lockdown is until 16 April – but I strongly suspect it will be extended. 😦
      There is no evidence to suggest Covid will die down in the heat and be seasonal – in fact, other Covids have not done so. Pity, as it has been quite warm here recently!

      Keep Safe. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

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